Somalia: Location, Population, Religion, Membership, Currency
	Official Name: Somali Democratic Republic Location: Somalia is bounded to the north by the gulf of Aden, to the south and east by Kenya, to the west by Ethiopia and to the northwest by Djibouti. To the east lies the Indian Ocean. Area: The total area of Somalia is 637,700 sq km (246,200 sq mi). Capital: Mogadishu Language: Somali and Arabic are the official languages. Swahili is spoken, particulary in south. Some English and Italian are also spoken. Religion: Islam is the state religion in Somalia, and most of the people are Sunni Muslims. 90% Muslim, with a Christian ( Mostly Roman Catholic) minoritiy. Population: Somalia has a population (1997 estimate) of 6,590,325. The overall population density is 10 persons per sq km (27 per sq mi). The principal cities are Mogadishu, the capital, Hargeysa, Kismaayo, and Marka. Membership: Somalia is a member of the UN, OAU, the Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference and is an ACP state of the EU. Currency: Somali Shilling ( SoSh) = 100 cents. The unit of currency is the Somali shilling, consisting of 100 cents (about 7000 Somali shillings equal U.S.$1; 1996). Somalia is a member of the Islamic Development Bank and the African Development Bank. Somalia Time Difference: GMT + 3