Country Profile: Somalia

Last reviewed: 21 May 2009

Country information

Map of Somalia

Full Country Name: Somali Democratic Republic Area: 637,657sq km
Population: 8.8 million (2008 EIU estimate)
Capital City: Mogadishu
People: Somali (85%), Bantu, Arabs
Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Religion: Sunni Muslim
Currency: Somali shilling (No central bank so various currencies are used, including the Somaliland shilling)
Government: No central government since 1991 but a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) formed in January 2005. Regional governments in Somaliland (NW) and Puntland (NE)
International Organisations: Although there has been no effective government since 1991, the TFG and its predecessor, the Transitional National Government (TNG) have represented Somalia in the UN, the League of Arab States and the African Union.