Somalia is a small country with a population of about 10,000,000 people, so the best choice for getting to know the country will be the city of Mogadishu, which is the capital. 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 shores of the Indian Ocean, at an altitude of nine meters above the sea level. It is believed that this is the most northern neighborhood of East Africa, where there is a very convenient natural bay. It is not known for certain, but, most likely, the word "Mogadishu" has a Persian or Arabic origin. This is due to the fact that in the year 900 Muslims living on the Arabian Peninsula colonized the city. After a while it became a major regional center, because it was at the intersection of important trade routes. Almost all the country's land is barren, however, the capital of Somalia and the territory adjacent to it have soil suitable for various agricultural works.
Since 1000, the volume of trade between cities has been increased, 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, Britain occupied it in February 1941 and continued to rule Mogadishu until 1952. And only in 1960 Somalia became an independent state, and Mogadishu became the main city of the country. To date, Mogadishu is the only capital in the world, where the UN, due to the fact that there are no security guarantees, can not provide humanitarian assistance. Since 1991, Mogadishu has been the center of an ongoing war and the most unruly place in Africa. Therefore, vacation in Somalia, in Mogadishu, can be quite dangerous.
Certainly, the main historical periods have found their reflection in the sights that have survived to this day. An example can serve as the Palace of Gares, erected in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar. Currently, there are a museum with rare exhibits that allow you to get to know the local culture and the library. The capital of Somalia has the National Palace and the presidential residence - modern buildings that attract the attention of visitors.
Lovers of architecture will be interested in narrow neighborhoods of the city, which are represented by colorful houses made in Afro-Arab style. On the walls of some buildings there are still patterns of ancient times, and the courtyards are surrounded by numerous greenery, in the shade of which you can hide from the heat. Unfortunately, most houses are in a dilapidated state.
The Somali Peninsula has another attraction - the most uncontrolled market in East Africa - the Baccarat Market. Here you can buy everything except bananas, rice, and some other products. False documents, weapons, drugs on the marketplace are freely available.