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Somalia is not your average tourist destination but is strictly a place for travelers with a charmed life and a bullet proofed spirit due to the sporadic insecurity and inter-clan clashes. All in all, Somali contains some of the best sites to be discovered yet. Travel is possible in the northern districts of the self proclaimed Republic of Somaliland, but even the sturdiest of travelers should avoid visiting other areas. The turbulent past of the country hides a country with hugely varied landscape of mountains, deserts, tropical forests, undiscovered beaches and coral reefs along the Gulf of Aden. Located in East Africa, Somalia has a population of approximately 9.1 million people with Mogadishu being her capital. Somali and Arabic are the official languages but Swahili, English and Italian are also spoken while Islam is the dominant religion.
The amazing thing is that traditional dance, music; song and craftsmanship flourish despite gradual modern development. Informal wear is acceptable and there’s no objection to bikinis on the beach but visitors should respect customs.
If you were to make your way into Somalia, then you’d have to employ the services of Jubba airlines or Daalo airlines, water through the main ports in Mogadishu, Kismayu and Berbera or a 4 wheel drive vehicle if road transport is to be used. Within the country, you could make yourself comfortable in the main cities of Hargeisa and Mogadishu where there are international standard hotels. Government run rest houses are located in many places with dormitory accommodation for 4 to 10 people. There are also tourists and hunting lodges in national parks at Lac Badana and Bush-Bush, as well as in other areas. The weather could be harsh especially around January when it’s very hot and dry. Short rainy seasons exist during March to June, August then September to December.
In peacetime, visit restaurants in the major cities and be served Chinese, European, and Italian and Somali food. Camel meat and milk is also popular but alcohol is illegal under Islamic law. National specialties include seafood (lobster, prawn, squid, or crab), Somali bananas, mangoes and papaya, roast kid meat and spiced rice, otka (dried meat), and injera (a large, spongy pancake) while the national drinks include black and brown teas usually from China. Get yourself some traditional crafts which include gold, silver jewelry, woven cloth and baskets from the Benadir region, meerschaum and woodcarvings. Later on, enjoy local bands playing African and European music. Other popular traditional feasts include ritualistic and recreational dances, music and folk songs.
Though seemingly constrained, you could visit the Kismayu or the Hargeisa National Park which contains many common and rare East African species or enjoy yourself at Somali’s beaches lining the Indian Ocean which are protected by coral reefs. Alternatively, see hundreds of well preserved Neolithic paintings decorating the walls of caves and shelters at Las Geel or admire the Shanghai Old City at Mogadishu. The main mode of getting around is road which employs mini buses, shared taxis or car hire. Alternatively, coastal shipping could be employed. All travel to Somali is advised against because of the dangerous level of criminal activities and internal insecurity. Tension is high so westerners and those working for western organizations have also been targeted. Piracy is also a major problem along the Somali coastline. Take strong security precautions since there’s a high threat from gangsters, especially against western tourists.
Somali Solutions Can Only Come from Somali People
The U.S. African Chamber of Commerce says Somali solutions can only come from the Somali people after the U.N stops creating problems for donor support.
Pirates: To Some Heroes, To Others Just Criminals
They've been described as "noble heroes" by sympathetic Somalis, denounced as criminals by critics. But the word most used to describe the men holding an American captain off the Horn of Africa is "pirate" - conjuring images of sword-wielding swashbucklers romanticized by Hollywood.
Somali People Can Solve Their Own Problems
"Who is running this country, Somali people or Ahmed Ould-Abdallah reintroducing the Somali Warlords again? Give me a break," said Martin Mohammed, President of the U.S. African Chamber of Commerce.
Where can I travel in Somalia?
Somalia is not your average tourist destination but is strictly a place for travelers with a charmed life and a bullet proofed spirit due to the sporadic insecurity and inter-clan clashes. All in all, Somali contains some of the best sites to be discovered yet. Travel is possible in the northern districts of the self proclaimed Republic of Somaliland, but even the sturdiest of travelers should avoid visiting other areas. The turbulent past of the country hides a country with hugely varied landscape of mountains, deserts, tropical forests, undiscovered beaches and coral reefs along the Gulf of Aden. Located in East Africa, Somalia has a population of approximately 9.1 million people with Mogadishu being her capital. Somali and Arabic are the official languages but Swahili, English and Italian are also spoken while Islam is the dominant religion.
History of Somalia
We always heart about Somali for the wrong reasons. The republic of Somalia also known as the Horn of Africa due to its geographic reasons seems to be in a state of chaos. Somalia is at war with it self. There are no doubts that Somalia is suffering and solution does not seem at hand. Although the negative light it gets, it has a history that cannot be ignored. Here are some highlights of the Somali nation.
Somalia Photos
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How to Combat Maritime Piracy?
Maritime security is a big thing for the ships that works as commercial cargo across the globe. Maritime security companies came into being quite some time ago. But it became really necessary for the cargos and other commercial ships to avail the useful security services because of the massive piracy along some coasts around the world.
History of Somalia
We always heart about Somali for the wrong reasons The republic of Somalia also known as the Horn of Africa due to its geographic reasons seems to be in a state of chaos
Somali group claims blasts in Uganda
KAMPALA, Uganda - East Africa saw the emergence of a new international terrorist group Monday, as Somalia's most dangerous al-Qaida-linked militia claimed responsibility for the twin bombings in Uganda that killed 74 people during the World Cup.
Terror suspects arrested at JFK
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. - They were recorded talking jihad against their fellow Americans. But they hadn't talked the jihadists into accepting them.
Tactical Products Group Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Contract for Afghanistan and Africa
Tactical Products Group, Inc., or TPG, was awarded a large contract to provide various private security products in support of ongoing US operations in Afghanistan and Africa.
U.S. drones patrol African coast
NAIROBI, Kenya - For the first time, sophisticated U.S. military surveillance drones capable of carrying missiles have begun patrolling waters off Somalia in hopes of stemming rising piracy.
US African Chamber of Commerce Congratulates Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
The US African Chamber of Commerce congratulates Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who is leaving for the African Trade Summit.
USACC to the UN: 'Give Me A Break - Somali People Can Solve their Own Problems'
The USACC is the leading advocacy organization for U.S. African relations and emerging African markets.
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