Somalia is an African country located in the Horn of Africa (a peninsula forming the easternmost projection of Africa). The Equator passes through southern Somalia. Somalia has a population of 19 million people within its borders, 10 million in neighboring countries, and nearly 2 million in the global diaspora. About 10% of the Somali diaspora live within North America. Tensions are once again rising in Somalia. The East African country has been mired in civil strife ever since the central government collapsed in 1991 following a series of uprisings against the. Government forces and opposition fighters have exchanged heavy gunfire in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, as a row over delays to elections has escalated. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term in. Somalia’s civilian population bears the brunt of ongoing conflict, political violence, and extreme weather shocks. The authorities severely restricted independent reporting, particularly on. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland. Somalia has an estimated population of more than 18 million, of which 2.7 million live in the capital and largest city, Mogadishu. As one of Africa's most ethnically homogenous countries, around 85% of its residents are ethnic Somalis. Discover Somalia. Explore Somalia facts, culture, history & comprehensive country profile with maps, statistics & research resources for students & travelers. Stay on top of Somalia latest developments on the ground with Al Jazeera’s fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated maps. Somalia is the easternmost country of Africa, on the Horn of Africa. It extends from just south of the Equator northward to the Gulf of Aden and occupies an important geopolitical position between sub-Saharan Africa and the countries of Arabia and southwestern Asia. The capital is Mogadishu. Somalia's alignment with communist states, coupled with its proclaimed adherence to scientific socialism, led to frequent accusations that the country had become a Soviet satellite.