Somalia - 1

Somalia is the eastern most country on the main land of Africa. It is officially called the Federal Republic of Somalia. The capital of Somalia is Mogadishu. The population is 10.5 million. Part of Somalia actually lies in the southern hemisphere and the other part is obviously in the northern hemisphere. That is because the equator runs through Somalia just north of the city of Kismaayo. The four largest cities in Somalia are Mogadishu, Hargeysa, Berbera, and Kismaayo.  Mogadishu’s latitude and longitude is: 2.0469° N, 45.3182° E. Hargeysa’s latitude and longitude is 9.5624° N, 44.0770° E.  Berbera’s latitude and longitude is 10.4348° N, 45.0140° E. Kismaayo has a latitude and longitude of 0.3560° S, 42.5461° E. These latitudes indicate how close the cities of Somalia are to the equator. The latitude is also one of the main reasons for the climate. Most of Somalia has a warm desert climate while the other part that is left in the southern region of Somalia is a warm semi-arid climate. Somalia’s terrain for the most part is made up of plateaus, plains, and highlands. What has the most geographic influence on the people of Somalia are the Indian Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Aden to the north. Somalia has four major rivers: Shebelle River, Dawa River, Jubba River, and Ewaso Ng’iro. The Cal Madow mountain range sits in the northeast, and has the highest peak of Somalia, the Shimbiris. Somalia has a very short history as an independent country. Since the land is mostly arid and inhospitable, the natural harbors and position on the map of Somalia have put it in the middle of trade routes. This has been the largest influence on Somalia historically. The trade routes are why Italy and Great Britain decided to make it a colony. Most of Somalia hinders food production and agriculture, that is why the ocean is so important to them.