The Surprising Country of Somalia Quiz

Answer: Indian Ocean

Somalia is located on the east side of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It is also bordered to the north by the Gulf of Aden. It is strategically located so that it is a gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. It was an important part of the ancient "Silk Road", and allowed for trade between India, the Far East, North Africa, and all countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

Answer: Myrrh

Somalia was held in high esteem by many other ancient societies, including the powerful Egyptians. The country was believed to be the original home of myrrh and also incense. Myrrh was a dried resin that was highly valued for its aromatic properties and for medicinal purposes.

Answer: Benito Mussolini

When the Italian despot Mussolini wanted to be rid of someone, he was rumored to have sent them to Somalia's capital city to assist in their disappearance. Enzo Ferrari was the founder of the sports car company that is named after him. Federico Fellini was a famous Italian film director. George Napolitano is a noted photographer who specializes in taking pictures of professional wrestling.

Also, as a note, it must be stressed that there are at least six spelling variations for this city.

Answer: Silk

Silk is not produced in Somalia. The other three options are the big three players in Somalia's weak and informal economy. Large companies that are there have chosen the country for its workforce, which will work for very low wages, and its location on the Horn of Africa.

Answer: Cave paintings

Laas Geel is home to some of the oldest cave paintings on the continent of Africa. These paintings are in excellent condition and are watched over closely by the local population. They were not studied by archaeologists until 2002. They have been dated back to between to between 3,000 and 9,000 BCE. Most are depictions of humans worshiping cows with lyre shaped horns, but there are also depictions of dogs, giraffes and hyenas.

Their wonderful condition is due in part to the climate, but also to the lack of human contact with the caves by anyone other than the locals.

Answer: Kingdom of Punt

Highly respected by the ancient Egyptians and Mycenaean Greeks, the Kingdom of Punt enjoyed lucrative trade status due to its strategic position on the Horn of Africa. The country had a lucrative trade in its famous frankincense, cattle, ebony and incense.

Answer: Italy

Somalia was divided into three protectorships: one was ruled by Britain, one by France and one by Italy. After World War II, Britain sold its control over the lands to Ethiopia in a political bid to get Ethiopia to plunder the wealth of Italian Somali clans.

This move backfired and Ethiopia lost all control of the lands in the area. French Somaliland chose to keep its relationship with France until 1997 when it declared its independence and became the country of Djibouti. Its continued association with a European power appears to have worked in its favor as conditions in Djibouti are much better than in Somalia.

Answer: Islam

Islam is the majority religion in Somalia, and has served as a basis for every constitution written in the country since it declared independence. Somalia is home to many ancient mosques, and its culture is heavily influenced by its practice of Islam.

Answer: False

Despite all of the negative press Somalia receives, some of it deserved, the country is taking baby steps forward. One step has been the large growth of schools (and teachers for these schools) that has been taking place since 2005. Hundreds of new schools have been built and they are open to both male and female children. Somalia is attempting to move forward and to reclaim its once prosperous reputation.

While many of its steps forward are baby steps, these are better than any step backward.

The United Nations issued no such statement and estimated literacy numbers vary drastically.

Answer: True

This wonderful news is true. Through intensive education programs, the incidence of new cases of AIDS virus transmission has dramatically dropped. While many resources give differing figures, all appear to agree that AIDS transmission is down, especially between mothers and their newborn or unborn children.