Short facts about the geography of Somalia

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 N, 49 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total:  637,657 sq km land:  627,337 sq km water:  10,320 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total:  2,366 km border countries:  Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km

Coastline:

3,025 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea:  200 NM

Climate:

principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point:  Indian Ocean 0 m highest point:  Shimbiris 2,416 m

Natural resources:

uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt

Land use:

arable land:  2% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  69% forests and woodland:  26% other:  3% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

1,800 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season

Environment - current issues:

famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to:  Endangered Species, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified:  Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban

Geography - note:

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

Source: World Factbook