Country - Africa

Somalia

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Why visit

Somalia has the longest coastline on mainland Africa and the ancient rock art of Laas Geel near Hargeisa in Somaliland, where a degree of separate stability has allowed small-scale travel. Conventional tourism elsewhere is currently very limited.

How to use this result

Use it as a country shortlist

Somalia works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.

Compare the capital and side trips

Use Mogadishu as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Somalia.

At a glance

Location

10.0°, 49.0°

Coast

Has coastline

Country area

637,657 km²

246,201 mi²

Subregion

Eastern Africa

Currency

Somali shilling (Sh)

SOS

Dial

+252

Languages

Arabic, Somali

Demonym

Somali

Internet

.so

Member state

ISO code

SO / SOM

Where in the world

10.0° - 49.0°

Somalia Open in Google Maps

Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0

Did you know

Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa (more than 3,300 km).
The Somali language was only officially written down in 1972, using a standardized Latin script.
Somaliland, a self-declared region in the north, has had its own government and currency since 1991 but is unrecognized internationally.

Bordering Somalia

Djibouti

Ethiopia

Kenya

Traveler notes

Laas Geel's painted shelters are around 5,000 years old
Mogadishu's coastal architecture reflects a long Indian Ocean trading past
Most governments advise against travel; conditions vary sharply by region

Plan checks

Start research with the capital Mogadishu, then compare two or three other regions.
Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.

Explore more

Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.

Frequently asked about Somalia

What is the capital of Somalia?

Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia.

What currency does Somalia use?

Somalia uses the Somali shilling (Sh), ISO code SOS.

What languages are spoken in Somalia?

The primary languages are Arabic and Somali.

Is Somalia landlocked?

No, Somalia has a coastline.

What countries border Somalia?

Somalia borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya.

What is the international calling code for Somalia?

The calling code is +252.

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