Somalia

Somalia, the easternmost country on the Horn of Africa, boasts the continent's longest mainland coastline and is home to over 18 million people, predominantly ethnic Somalis and Sunni Muslims. Historically a vital commercial center dominated by powerful empires like the Ajuran and Adal Sultanates, it was colonized by British and Italian empires in the late 19th century, eventually uniting to gain independence as the Somali Republic in 1960.

Following a 1969 coup led by Siad Barre, the country descended into civil war after his regime's collapse in 1991, leading to prolonged instability. A 2006 US-backed Ethiopian invasion further complicated the situation, giving rise to the militant group al-Shabaab, which continues to control parts of central and southern Somalia.

Despite these challenges, a new provisional constitution was passed in August 2012, reforming Somalia as a federation and leading to the formation of the Federal Government of Somalia. While it remains one of the world's least developed countries, its informal economy thrives on livestock, remittances from abroad, and telecommunications, and Somalia is an active member of the United Nations and African Union.