Hargeisa is the second largest city in Somalia and the capital of the autonomous region of Somaliland – a region that considers itself an independent nation and is much safer than its neighbors. Its population was 1,200,000 in 2019.
The Almnara Tower is a historic 15th-century stone structure located on the Mogadishu coast in Somalia, serving as both a lighthouse and a defensive tower. Built during the period when Mogadishu was a major trading center on the Silk Road, the tower guided ships from Africa, Arabia, India, and China using traditional Somali coral stone construction techniques combined with medieval Islamic styles.
Mount Shimbiris is the highest peak in Somaliland. It has an elevation of 2,460 meters (8,071 ft) above sea level. It is located in the Ogo mountain range in the Sanaag region. SRTM data suggests that the commonly cited elevation is 2,416 meters (7,927 ft), which is slightly lower than the actual figure.
The Fakr ad Din Mosque, also known as Masjid Fakr al-Din, is the oldest mosque in Mogadishu, Somalia. Its construction is dated by an inscription from 1269 AD, which attributes the building to Sultan Fakr ad-Din. The mosque's architecture features a compact rectangular floor plan, with a domed mihrab axis.
Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a country located in the far east of the African continent, stretching across the Horn of Africa. In 2025, Somalia is estimated to have a population of 19,280,850, with over 4 million living in its capital and largest city, Mogadishu.
Mogadishu, known locally as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as a vital port connecting traders across the Indian Ocean for millennia and is projected to have a population of 3,262,129 by 2025.
Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is a partially recognized country in the Horn of Africa. Its territory covers 176,120 km² (68,000 square miles), with a population of approximately 6.2 million as of 2024. Its capital and largest city is Hargeisa.
