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Region:
Eastern Africa
Capital:
Mogadishu
Population:
8 304 601 (July
2004 est.)
Surface
area:
637 657
Currency:
shilling
GDP
per capita:
$500 (2003 est.)
Background:
Somalia
has deep political
divisions. The
northern area
has declared
its independence
as "Somaliland";
the central area,
Puntland, is
a self-declared
autonomous state;
and the remaining
southern portion
is riddled with
the struggles
of rival factions.
Economic life
continues, in
part because
much activity
is local and
relatively easily
protected.
Economy
– overview:
Agriculture
is the most important
sector, with
livestock normally
accounting for
about 40% of
GDP and about
65% of export
earnings, but
Saudi Arabia's
recent ban on
Somali livestock,
because of Rift
Valley Fever
concerns, has
severely hampered
the sector. Nomads
and semi-nomads,
who are dependent
upon livestock
for their livelihood,
make up a large
portion of the
population. Livestock,
hides, fish,
charcoal, and
bananas are Somalia's
principal exports,
while sugar,
sorghum, corn,
qat, and machined
goods are the
principal imports.
Somalia's small
industrial sector,
based on the
processing of
agricultural
products, has
largely been
looted and sold
as scrap metal.
Despite the seeming
anarchy, Somalia's
service sector
has managed to
survive and grow.
United
Nations Membership
date:
20 September
1960
New
York Mission:
Permanent Mission
of the Somali
Democratic Republic
to the United
Nations
425 East 61st
Street, Suite
702
New York, N.Y.
10021 USA
Telephone: 212-688-9410
/ 5046
Fax: 212-759-0651
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