Factfile: Somalia - a brief outline of the country

Key facts

Population: 10 million
Religion: Sunni Islam
Average annual income: $600
Exports: Goats, bananas and fish
Language: Somali
Capital: Mogadishu

Rise of the Islamic Courts Union

On June 5, an Islamic Courts-allied militia defeated the US-backed leaders and took control of Mogadishu.

Since then, they have expanded their control over much of southern Somalia, capturing the key port town of Kismayo.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, executive chairman of the Union of the Islamic Courts Areas under the Islamists' control have enjoyed a return to relative normality.

The Islamic Courts Union has also re-opened the city's international airport and numerous other ports along the Somali coast and invited foreign countries and individuals to invest in the war-shattered country.

The interim administration has been powerless to control fighting in Mogadishu and is not strong enough to move to the capital. It is based in Baidoa.

In the country's north, Somaliland and Puntland, two break-away regions, have established functioning governments and enjoy a measure of security and stability.

Somaliland, with the city of Hargeisa as its capital, declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

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