Have you wondered where the famous Madagascar got its name from? It got it from Mogadishu in the beautiful country of Somalia. Many centuries ago, Marco Polo confused the Indian Island with Mogadishu of Somalia; it was merely a mispronunciation, and the name stuck.
Bordered by the Indian Ocean on the east, the Gulf of Aden by the north, Ethiopia on the west, Djibouti by the northwest, and Kenya, this country has one of the most unique positions in the Horn of Africa.
Having the longest coastline in mainland Africa with a length of 3,333 kilometers, it is said that this terrain is shaped like a tilted number seven.
There are many hills to the north of Somalia, while to the south, there are flat lands. The climate of this country is typically hot all year round.Â
Although the thought that comes to mind when Somalia is mentioned is that of a politically unstable nation and a people who are always at war, Somalia is much more than what the headlines portray it as. Amidst the challenges the country has faced, it manages to retain its natural beauty.
Somalia’s Landscape
In glaring contrast to the hot deserts, there are the welcoming and relaxing greens of the Juba and Shabelle Rivers.
Although most of the country is dry, these people have found beauty in their country, and they have found ways to lead a pastoral life.
The part of Somalia’s landscape that does it the most for me is the mountains. Although jagged, in my eyes, they hold a somewhat otherworldly allure to them. The views that stretch as far as the eyes can see are one word: breathtaking.
CabduL_Majiid – Pixabay
Virgin Islands
If you love the water, Somalia is the place for you. Outside the coast of Somalia are islands left in their natural, unamused state. The Zeila Archipelago and Socotra, amongst many others, are just sights for sore eyes.
The blue/green waters brim with aquatic life, which ranges from exotic water dwellers, endangered species of fish, beautifully colored coral reefs, and many other things.
On these islands, you can lose yourself in the beauty of nature and do things that have been on your bucket list forever—diving, surfing, and any other thing your mind can imagine.
Somalia’s Wildlife
Imagine lounging and taking a sun bath in the beautiful lands of Somalia, and then, something nuzzles in your ear. You lift your head, and a baby elephant that had drifted away from the herd stares right into your face.
The extent of Somalia’s wildlife is endless. Gazelles, Ibexes, Cheetahs, Lions, Golden Moles, antelopes, and many others are the wonders of nature that reside here.
Although poaching has been a bone of contention in recent decades, making the animals migrate to neighboring Kenya, thanks to wildlife parks such as the Kismayo National Park and Hargeisa National Park, a safe sanctuary, there are still many animals to see.
Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir – Unsplash
Despite the tremulous history that surrounds the nation, Somalia is effortlessly one of the most beautiful countries in Africa and even the world. She should be on your wanderlust list.
