Somalia is a small country with a population of about 10,000,000 people, so the capital city of Mogadishu is the best choice to explore the country. It is here that the traveler can contemplate unique architectural monuments, abandoned parks, in which there are many rare species of animals.
So, let's get acquainted. The capital of Somalia is located on the Indian Ocean, at an altitude of nine meters above sea level. It is believed that this is the northernmost neighborhood of East Africa, where there is a very convenient natural bay. It is not known for certain, but most likely the word "Mogadishu" is of Persian or Arabic origin. This is due to the fact that in 900 Muslims living in the Arabian Peninsula colonized the city. After some time, it became a major regional center, as it was at the crossroads of important trade routes. Almost all of the country's land is barren, but the capital of Somalia and the area adjacent to it has soil suitable for various agricultural activities.
The volume has been increased since the year 1000trade between cities, this contributed to the rapid economic development of the city. These data are confirmed by the coins of China, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, which were found during archaeological excavations.
Five hundred years later, the capital of Somalia was under Portuguese control. Three hundred years later, the sultan ruling the city gave it to Italy for use, and already in 1905 this country bought the city. During the Second World War, Great Britain occupied it in February 1941 and continued to rule Mogadishu until 1952. And only in 1960 Somalia became an independent state, and Mogadishu - the main city of the country. To date, Mogadishu is the only capital in the world where the UN, due to the lack of security guarantees, cannot provide humanitarian assistance. Since 1991, Mogadishu has been the center of an ongoing war and the most unruly place in Africa. Therefore, a holiday in Somalia, in Mogadishu, can be quite dangerous.
Of course, the main historical periods are reflected in the sights that have survived to this day. An example is the Gares Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar. Currently, there is a museum with rare exhibits that allow you to get to know the local culture, and a library. The capital of Somalia has the National Palace and the presidential residence - modern buildings that attract the attention of visitors.
Architecture lovers will be interested in the narrow quarters of the city,which are represented by colorful houses made in the Afro-Arab style. On the walls of some buildings, patterns of ancient times are still present, and the courtyards are surrounded by numerous greenery, in the shade of which you can hide from the heat. Unfortunately, most of the houses are in a dilapidated state.
The Somali Peninsula has another attraction - the most out-of-control market in East Africa - Baccarat Market. Here you can buy everything except bananas, rice, and some other products. False documents, weapons, drugs on the marketplace in the public domain.
