Somalia is a country
in East Africa bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia. Formerly
a British and an Italian colony, the country gained its independence in July 1960. Somalia
has been devastated by a civil war without an effective central government following the
disintegration of the dictatorial regime in 1991.
Somalia is poorly endowed
with natural resources. Livestock and livestock products have always been the major
exports, followed by crops, such as bananas which are grown in the riverine region. While
chaos and clan fighting continue in most of Somalia, some orderly government has been
established in the northern part. In May 1991, the elders of clans in former British
Somaliland established the independent Republic of Somaliland, which, although not
recognized by any government, maintains a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming
dominance of the ruling clan and the economic infrastructure left behind by British,
Russian and American military assistance programs. Northern Somalia is the world's largest
source of incense and myrrh which are forestry products.
There is no national
telecommunications operator in Somalia. The telephone network has been completely
destroyed during the war.
Back to Top
