Mogadishu
Capital, largest city, and chief port of Somalia; population (2007 est) 2,855,800. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast of Somalia and is a centre for oil refining, food processing, and chemical production; there are uranium reserves nearby.
History
Mogadishu orginated as an Arab settlement in the 10th century, but was in decline by the 16th century. In 1871 it was controlled by the sultan of Zanzibar. The site was leased to Italy in 1892 and became the headquarters of
Italian Somaliland.
During the civil war 1991–92, much of the city was devastated and many thousands killed. From December 1992 UN peacekeeping troops were stationed in the city to monitor a ceasefire and to protect relief operations. However, mounting clashes between UN and Somali rebel forces in 1993 resulted in the withdrawal of most UN troops in March 1994. The effects of the civil war, with the large-scale destruction of the infrastructure, are still seen in the crippled economy and the decreased population due to famine and movement of refugees.
Features The city has mosques dating from the 13th century; the cathedral, built 1925–28, was destroyed during the civil war. The city is home to the Somali National University (1954) and to schools of industry and veterinary medicine. It is served by an international airport. |
