Somalia

Somalia is a country on the Horn of Africa, the part of Africa that sticks out into the Indian Ocean. It has the longest coastline of any country on the African mainland. Somalia has a rich tradition of poetry and storytelling.

Land and People

About 17 million people live in Somalia. The capital is Mogadishu. Somalia has a long Indian Ocean coast, dry plains, and some mountains in the north. The country has a warm, dry climate for most of the year.

Culture and Fun Facts

Somalis are famous for their love of poetry and it is a central part of the culture. Camel milk is a common drink and Somalia has more camels than almost any other country. People eat canjeero, a pancake-like bread, and pasta with sauce, a leftover from Italian influence.

Fun Facts

• Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa at about 1,900 miles.
• Somalia has one of the largest camel populations in the world.
• Poetry is so important in Somalia that the country is called the Nation of Poets.

Did You Know?

Somalia is called the Nation of Poets because poetry is deeply woven into the culture. For centuries, poems were memorized and passed down by word of mouth instead of being written. Even today, poets are respected like celebrities in Somali society.