Area comparison map:

almost five times the size of Alabama; slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:
total: 2,385 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (3): Djibouti 61 km, Ethiopia 1640 km, Kenya 684 km

Coastline:
3,025 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]

Climate:
principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
More Climate Details

Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Elevation:
mean elevation: 410 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

Natural resources:
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Land use:
agricultural land: 70.3% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 1.8% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 68.5% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 10.6% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 19.1% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
2,000 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population distribution:
distribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa

Natural hazards:
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season

Environment - current issues:
water scarcity; contaminated water contributes to human health problems; improper waste disposal; deforestation; land degradation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal