factions have representatives in Washington

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy
in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi
at Mombasa Road; mail address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi;
APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (2) 537800; FAX [254] (2) 537810

Flag description: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in
the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN

Government - note: An interim Transitional National Government -
with a president, prime minister, and 245-member National Assembly -
was established in Mogadishu in October 2000. However, other governing
bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of
the country, including Somaliland, Puntland, and traditional clan and
faction strongholds.

Economy Somalia

Economy - overview: One of the world's poorest and least
developed countries, Somalia has few resources and is prone to
drought. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by civil war
since 1991. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock
accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads
and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood,
make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, charcoal,
and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn,
fish, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's
small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural
products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the
seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and
grow. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major
cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In
the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange services have
sprouted throughout the country, handling between $200 million and
$500 million in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers
a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels
continue to operate, and security is provided by militias. Ongoing
civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have interfered with any
broad-based economic development and international aid arrangements. The
failure of spring rains caused major food shortages in the south in 2001.
Economic data is scare and prone to a wide margin of error.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.1