Somalia

Somalia

Somalia is located on the eastern coast of Africa, in what is known as ‘the horn of Africa’. Somalia borders the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, and Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti to the west.

Quick Facts

Population: 11.259 million
Ethnic Groups: Somali (85%), Bantu and other non-Somali (15%)
Languages: Somali (Official), Arabic (Official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
Religions: Sunni Muslim (Official)
Capital: Mogadishu
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 27, 2019

Somalians in Canada

Somalian Population in Canada

62,545

Useful Links

The last few decades of Somalia’s history has been characterized by civil wars, and numerous governments have been ineffective in their attempts to bring law and order. The “transitional” national government formed in 2000 does not control most of the country, and radical Islamists and jihadists are eager to fight the government. In sum, much work has to be done to bring stability to Somalia. Sunni Islam is the official religion, and nearly the entire population is Muslim. Religion plays a huge role in Somali life. Somalis do not consume pork or alcohol, and men could have as many as four wives at a time. Many Somalis also believe in a spirit world, and either “fight” or try to appease spirits known as “jinns”. The few Christians who live in Somalia face persecution.

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