Somalia is located on the Horn of Africa, and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the north-west, and Kenya on its south-west. This is a country with a troubled past. Civil war, military coups, border disputes and warlordism are the general course of events here. But things are starting to improve with the withdrawal of Ethiopian army.

The history of Somali people dates back many centuries. The first time the word Somali was mentioned in a history book was 3500 years ago, when the queen of Egypt Hatsebshut sent a fleet of 5 large ships and a crew of 250 men to Somalia which the Egyptians called The Land of Punt. Punt means “THE LAND OF SPICES” from the aromatic plants that grow there. The Egyptians wanted to trade and they brought jewels and glass beads that they exchanged for gold, elephant tusks myrrh, ostrich feathers, spices and different beads. Some of these items, especially the aromatic ones were Egyptians used to their religious festivals and celebrations.

In 9th Century Ibn Batuta the great Berber traveller visited in Mogadishu and wrote about the people, their food and clothing and how they ruled themselves. In his book he mentioned that the people in the city were very fat and everybody ate as much as he cans, the Mogadishans, who he called the people in the city, wore very nice white clothes and turbans and their sultan was very powerful. Between the 7th and 9th Cent. Immigrant Muslim Arabs and Persians established trading posts along Somali Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean coasts.

Somalia was an unknown country for European explorers until the Portuguese explorers reached the coastal cities of Somalia on their way to India. They called it Terra Incognita, which means the unknown land. These new discoveries encouraged many other European navigators to sail on the Somali coats of Red Sea and The Indian Ocean.

THE COLONIAL ERA.

British, Italian and French imperialism all played an active role in the region in the 19th century. In 1884 the European powers conference in Berlin, they decided to divide Somalia in to five parts. The reason is that Somalia is one of the most homogeneous nations in the world with one language, religion and race.

The colonial powers divided Somalia in to British Somaliland in the north, Italian Somalia in south, French Somali coast in Djibouti, Ogaden in west and NFD. In early 19th century a Somali resistance against these colonial powers started, one of the strongest resistance was led by Sayed Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, which British empire gave the name of Mad Mullah. He began his opposition after his returning from Mecca and established his own army, which he called them The Dervishes recruiting from the local people and built his own headquarter in Taleex. In 1901 the fighting started between British and local Somali forces and it was a beginning in a long fighting that resulted the Somali independence.

Climate

Somalia is principally desert. Major climatic factors are a year-round hot climate, seasonal monsoon winds, and irregular rainfall with recurring droughts. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 30 °C to 40 °C (85–105 °F), except at higher elevations and along the east coast. Mean daily minimums usually vary from about 15 °C to 30 °C (60–85 °F). The southwest monsoon, a sea breeze, makes the period from about May to October the mildest season at Mogadishu. The December-February period of the northeast monsoon is also relatively mild, although prevailing climatic conditions in Mogadishu are rarely pleasant. The “tangambili” periods that intervene between the two monsoons (October–November and March–May) are hot and humid.

Get in

By plane

There are two options regarding plane travel to/from Somalia, though operations may be spotty or non-existent due to the recent bombings of the airport by Ethiopian forces.

• Daallo Airlines [1] is the only international carrier to fly to Somalia. They operate 2-3 services per week from Djibouti using an Ilyushin-18 aircraft.

• Jubba Airways [2] is a Somali airline that operates from Mogadishu to/from: Dubai, Bossaso and Jeddah. Flights also may be available to/from: Galkayo, Hargeisa and Sharjah. Their aircraft is also IL-18.

Both Daallo Airlines and Jubba Airways use Aaden Cabdulle Cismaan International Airport which re-opened in August 2006. Prior to this, both airlines used an airport many miles from the Mogadishu due to security fears over the city’s main airport.

By car

Don’t. Though this may be possible if you wish to cross into Somaliland, borders are generally sealed, and always dangerous.

By boat

There are ports in Boosaaso, Berbera, Kismaayo, and Mogadishu. The waters outside of Somalia, especially the Gulf of Aden, are unsafe due to pirates.

Get around

Somalia has not had an effective government for 15 years; as one can imagine this has had a negative effect on the roads. There are two different modes of public transportation that you can use in Somalia: buses and taxis. The only rule of the road that seems to still be in force is that Somalians generally drive on the right or centre.

The Zeila Coast

The Somali beach near Mogadishu is very beautiful. Families usually go on weekends.It is important to be aware that women must swim fully clothed. This is because they follow the sharia which prevents women to mingle with men. It is not clear as what the situation is like currently. However it would make a great tourist attraction.

Somali is the official language in Somalia. Somalis are almost exclusively Sunni Muslims, Somali. While the southern part of the country was a former protectorate and colony of Italy, it is unclear just how much Italian is still spoken. Many Somalis speak English to communicate with the people who generally handle all of the menial jobs in their country. If you can learn a few words of Somali, your hosts and any other locals you may meet, will be very impressed and appreciative