A virtual guide to Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, the easternmost country on mainland Africa is situated on the peninsula known as the Horn of Africa. Somalia is bordering the Gulf of Aden in the north, Djibouti in the northwest, Ethiopia in the west, and Kenya in the southwest, the east borders the Indian Ocean, and it shares maritime borders with Yemen.

The country covers an area of 637,657 km², compared to it is more than twice the size of Poland, or slightly smaller than Texas. Somalia has a population of 12.3 million people, capital and largest city is Mogadishu, spoken languages are Somali and Arabic (both official).

Background:
A SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy followed for nine years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland which now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs.

The regions of Bari and Nugaal comprise a neighbouring self-declared Republic of Puntland, which has also made strides towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored.