Somalia is located in the eastern country of Africa also
known as the Horn of Africa. To the North of Somalia it is bounded by the Gulf
of Aden, Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya and Ethiopia to the west. [1] The
country has a total land area of 242,216 square miles with an estimated population
of nearly eight million. In comparison to another country, Somalia is slightly
smaller than the state of Texas.
The two main rivers running through the country are
Shebelle and the Juba. [2] Both rivers flow from the Ethiopian highlands into
the Southeastern of Somalia. The difference between two rivers is that the
Shabeelle does not enter the Indian Ocean while the Jubba flows into it year
round. [3] Due to Somalia being close to the Equator, the country experiences
four seasons which consist of two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The rainy climate may contribute to the transmission of disease in a
variety of ways. The distribution and population size of disease vectors can be
heavily affected by local climate. Flooding after heavy rains can result in
sewage overflow and widespread water contamination.[4] Malaria is endemic throughout Somalia along with Louse-borne
typhus, Meningococcal disease and all
strains of Hepatitis.[5]
Overall Somali has maintained an economy largely based on
livestock, remittance/money transfer companies and telecommunications. Both
agriculture and livestock are the biggest earnings for the country. Bringing
nearly about 40% of GDP and over 50% of export earnings. [6] Somalia’s exports
consist of hides, fish, charcoal and bananas. While the imports consist of
sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods, [7] manufacturing has grown in
Mogadishu; 25 factories in the area producing detergent, soap, pillows,
aluminum, fish canning, and meat canning. [8] Mogadishu also had a production
of 10,000 barrels per day of oil, but has been closed since 1991 due to
political conflict. [9]
[2] “Somalia” http://www.infoplease.com/country/somalia.html
[4] “Environmental
factors influencing the spread of communicable diseases” http://www.who.int/environmental_health_emergencies/disease_outbreaks/communicable_diseases/en/
[5] “The Threat of
Infectious Diseases in Somalia” http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199304083281430
[7] “Industrial and
Manufacturing” http://www.sodevbank.so/industerial/
[8] “Industrial and
Manufacturing” http://www.sodevbank.so/industerial/
[9] “Somalia –
Industry” http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Somalia-INDUSTRY.html
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