Somsa
Somali Money Services Association
Ten Key Facts about Somalia
1. Somalia is Africa’s eastern most country. It occupies the tip of a region commonly referred to as the Horn of Africa because of its resemblance on the map to the horn of a rhinoceros. This region also includes Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.
3. Rainfall is sparse in Somalia, and most of the land is semiarid-to-arid, suitable only for the nomadic pastoralism practiced by well over half the population.
5. Britain is home to the largest Somali community outside of Somalia; population estimates range from 510,000 to 1 million (most recent semi-official figures ranged from 500,000-700,000).
7. England's first female Muslim football referee is from Somalia. Jawahir Roble used to live Mogadishu but now referees football matches in northwest London.
9. Mo Farah, one of Britain's most successful Olympic athletes, is from Somalia. He was born in Mogadishu in 1983 and moved to the UK in 1991.
2. Somalia has the longest coastline of Africa and the Middle East, extending over 3,025 kilometres. The coastline has been of importance chiefly in permitting trade with the Middle East and the rest of the Horn of Africa.
4. Somalia was created in 1960 from an Italian colony and former British protectorate.
6. Since the early 1990s, remittances from Somalis in the diaspora, estimated to be at least $2 billion annually, have become the lifeline of the Somali population, and the basis for economic development and security.
8. Somalia has very simple flag consisting of a white star on a light blue background. The light blue was inspired by the United Nations Flag as they played an intrinsic role in supporting Somalia's move towards independence. The white start is the Somalia national symbol. Each of its five points represents a Somali homeland.
10. An intrinsic part of Somali culture is the camel. Camels provide milk, transportation, income and status for owners. Camel meat is also a delicacy in Somali cuisine.
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