Somalia Travel Guide
Total Area:637,657 sq km Land Borders: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya
Population: 8,863,338
Life Expectancy: 49 years HIV % Total Poulation:1%
Ethnic Groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)
Languages:Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
President:Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed GDP - Per Capita: $600
The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored.