Overview of Somali

Officially name: Somali Republic

Capital: Mogadishu

Largest city: Mogadishu

Official language: Somali, Arabic

Government: Coalition government

Climate of Somalia

Climate is the primary factor in much of Somali life. For the large nomadic population, the timing and amount of rainfall are crucial determinants of the adequacy of grazing and the prospects of relative prosperity. During droughts such as occurred during 1974-75 and 1984-85, starvation can occur. There are some indications that the climate has become drier in the last century and that the increase in the number of people and animals has put a growing burden on water and vegetation.