Article Outline
Somalia or Somali Democratic Republic, republic in eastern Africa, bordered on the north by the Gulf of Aden, on the east and south by the Indian Ocean, on the south-west by Kenya, on the west by Ethiopia, and on the north-west by Djibouti. The total area is 637,700 sq km (246,200 sq mi). The capital of Somalia is Mogadishu.
Somalia has a long coastline, extending for about 3,025 km (1,880 mi), but it has few natural harbours. A narrow coastal plain borders the Gulf of Aden in the north. A series of mountain ranges, with average elevations of between 915 and 2,135 m (3,000 and 7,000 ft), dominates the northern part of the country. To the south, the interior consists of a rugged plateau, ranging in elevation from about 500 m (1,640 ft) to less than 183 m (600 ft) in the extreme south. A wide coastal plain, which has many sand dunes, borders the Indian Ocean. The country’s two major rivers are found on the southern plateau: the Shabeelle in the central area, and the Genale further south.
The climate of Somalia ranges from tropical to subtropical and from arid to semi-arid desert. Temperatures usually average 27.8° C (82° F), but may be as low as 0° C (32° F) in the mountain areas and as high as 46.7° C (116° F) along the coast. The monsoon winds bring a dry season from September to December and a rainy season from March to May. The average annual rainfall is only about 279 mm (11 in).
Somalia has few natural resources. The grasslands are suitable only for grazing livestock. The fertile land in the Genale and Shabeelle valleys and in some coastal areas is used for crop farming. Mineral resources are relatively diverse, but have not been exploited. Known deposits include oil, copper, manganese, gypsum, iron, marble, tin, and uranium.
