Mogadishu
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{{Infobox Settlement
| official_name = Mogadishu
| native_name = مقديشو ("the Palace of Shah")
| image_skyline = Pictures from an armed convoy trip in Mogadishu.jpg
| nickname = Xamar
| image_flag =
| image_caption = Mogadishu Skyline, July 2007
| image_seal =
| image_map = Somalia&land map.png
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Mogadishu's location in Somalia
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Somalia]]
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = Banadir
| government_footnotes =<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070504/ap_on_re_af/somalia |title=Mayor of Mogadishu bans weapons |accessdate=2007-05-04 |format= |work= }}</ref>
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Mohamed Omar Habeb Dhere
|leader_title1 =Police chief <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1 = Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_sq_mi =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_land_km2 =
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| population_as_of = 2006
| population_urban =
| population_note =
| population_total = 1700000
| population_metro =
| area_metro_km2 =
| area_metro_sq_mi =
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| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +2
| timezone_DST = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset_DST = +3
| latd= 2|latm= 02|lats=|latNS=N
| longd= 45|longm= 21|longs=|longEW=E
| website =
| footnotes =
}} <!-- Infobox ends !-->
'''Mogadishu''' [{{IPA|mogaˈdɪʃu}}] ([[Somali language|Somali]]: ''Muqdisho'', popularly ''Xamar''; {{lang-ar|مقديشو}} ''{{Unicode|Maqadīshū}}''; {{lang-it|Mogadiscio}}) is the largest city in [[Somalia]] and the nation's [[capital]].
Located in the coastal [[Benadir]] region on the [[Indian Ocean]], the city has served as an important regional [[port]] for centuries.
With the collapse of the central government in 1991, Mogadishu has been the stage for 17 years of fighting between rival [[militia]]s. Years of civil unrest and uncontrolled insurgencies have transformed Mogadishu into one of the most dangerous and lawless cities in the world. Estimates of the city's current population vary greatly, with figures ranging from 1.5 million to 3 million.
==History==
{{main|History of Mogadishu}}
[[Image:Aerial view of a US helicopter as it flies over a Mogadishu residential area.JPEG|thumb|left|Aerial view of a residential area of Mogadishu, with a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter in the foreground, December 1992.]]
Trade connected Somalis in the Mogadishu area to other communities along the Indian coast as early as the 1st century according to the ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]''. With [[Muslim]] traders from the [[Arabian Peninsula]] arriving circa 900 AD, Mogadishu was well-suited to become a regional center for [[commerce]]. The northernmost of the East African [[city-state]]s, Mogadishu prospered through trade with the interior, which spread [[Islam]] throughout Somalia. The [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] visited the city but never took it. In 1871 [[Barghash bin Said of Zanzibar|Barghash bin Said]], the [[sultan]] of [[Zanzibar]], occupied the city.
In 1892, [[Ali bin Said of Zanzibar|Ali bin Said]] leased the city to [[Italy]]. Italy purchased the city in 1905 and made Mogadishu the capital of [[Italian Somaliland]]. The surrounding territory came [[History of Somalia#Italian Campaigns|under Italian control]] in 1936 after heavy resistance. In [[World War II]] [[United Kingdom|British]] forces from [[Kenya]] captured Mogadishu on [[February 26]] [[1941]]. The British ruled until the Italian Trust Administration of Somalia (AFIS), established by the [[United Nations]], began on [[1 April]] [[1950]] to administer the former Somali [[colony]] as a [[protectorate]] to prepare it for independence. Somalia became independent on [[1 July]] [[1960]] with Mogadishu as its capital.
Rebel forces entered and took the city in 1990, forcing [[President]] Mohamed [[Siad Barre]] to resign and flee in January 1991 to [[Lagos]], [[Nigeria]]. One faction proclaimed [[Ali Mahdi Muhammad]] president, another [[Mohamed Farrah Aidid]]. A contingent of [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marines]] landed near Mogadishu on [[December 9]], [[1992]] to spearhead the [[United Nations]] [[peacekeeping]] forces during [[Operation Restore Hope]].
Mogadishu was scene of bitter warfare and devastation caused by [[War in Somalia (2006–present)|fighting]] between Ethiopian troops, which invaded Somalia to support a fragile government, and Islamist guerrillas. Fighting escalated in [[Battle of Mogadishu (March–April 2007)|March–April 2007]], [[Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007)|November 2007]] and [[Battle of Mogadishu (2008)|April 2008]] with hundreds of civilian casualties.
Mogadishu is the hometown of the somali clan (the abgaal). [ref][Ioan M.lewis ,blood and bone:the call of kinship in somalia ,page(227)]
==Geography==
{{climate chart|Mogadishu
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|25|31|8
|26|32|57
|25|31|55
|24|30|82
|23|29|57
|23|29|40
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|24|30|26
|24|30|36
|24|30|7
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}}
Mogadishu is located at {{coor dm|2|4|N|45|22|E|}}. The [[Shebelle River]] (''Webiga Shabelle'') rises in central Ethiopia and comes within {{km to mi|30}} of the [[Indian Ocean]] near Mogadishu before turning southwestward. Usually dry during February and March, the river provides water essential for the cultivation of [[sugarcane]], [[cotton]], and [[banana]]s.
Features of the city include the ''Hamarwein'' Old Town, the [[Bakaara Market]], and the former resort of [[Gezira Beach]]. The sandy beaches of Mogadishu are reported, by the few Western travelers, to be among the most beautiful in the world, with easy access to vibrant coral reefs.<ref>[http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4328 "The List: Top Tourist Spots Americans Can’t Visit"], ''[[Foreign Policy]]'', June 2008</ref>
Mogadishu is located in the Country of the Abgaal, a Hawiye subclan [ref][http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/somalia/all.html]
==Economy==
Mogadishu serves as a commercial and financial center. The economy has recovered somewhat from the civil unrest although the [[Somali Civil War]] still presents many problems. The effective absence of government yields free trade without taxes or regulatory expenditures, making business relatively inexpensive. Businesses have hired armed militias to provide security against gunmen, leading to a gradual reduction in street violence. However, because of the absence of federal authorities, extremely high levels of crime including frequent murders and occasional bombings are still rampant in the city.
Principal industries include food and beverage processing and textiles, especially [[cotton gin]]ning. The main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets.
[[Telcom]] a [[Telephone company|telecommunications network]] operator in Somalia has its headquarters in the city.
==Transportation==
[[Image:Aerial view of the port of Mogadishu.JPEG|thumb|right|Aerial view of the Port of Mogadishu in 1992. Three cargo ships, large, medium and small sized vessels are moored to the docks. A tugboat is heading out of the port.]]
===Road===
Roads leading out of Mogadishu connect the city to many other Somali locales and to [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]].
===Air===
Private airlines service Mogadishu at various airports within and around the city. The intense fighting largely destroyed the old [[Aden Adde International Airport]], which briefly reopened before the [[War in Somalia (2006-present)]]. As of 2007, [[K50 Airport]] serves Mogadishu.<ref name=airwaysv14i7>{{Cite journal|last=Schmitz|first=Sebastain|year=2007|title=By Ilyushin 18 to Mogadishu|journal=Airways|volume=14|issue=7|pages=pp. 12–17|issn=1074-4320}}</ref>
===Sea===
Mogadishu leads Somalia in port traffic and still serves as a major seaport. [[International trade]]rs actively benefit from its de facto [[Duty (economics)|duty-free]] status. However, [[piracy]] is widespread around Somalia's coastal areas, making sea transport risky.<ref name=usdos>{{cite web|url=http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_933.html|title=Travel Warning: Somalia|accessdate=2007-08-01|author=Bureau of Consular Affairs|authorlink=Bureau of Consular Affairs|date=2006-06-05|format=HTML|work=International Travel Information|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|language=English|quote=Merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreational craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their crews held for ransom, especially in the waters off the Horn of Africa.}}</ref><ref name=aljazeera>{{cite news|author=Mohammed Adow|title=Piracy cuts off Somalia aid|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CF8ACEDB-8BB1-4C4B-8CAA-E182B784D602.htm?FRAMELESS=true&NRNODEGUID=%7bCF8ACEDB-8BB1-4C4B-8CAA-E182B784D602%7d|format=HTML|work=Aljazeera.net|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=2007-06-02|accessdate=2007-08-01|language=English|quote=Piracy has become an almost daily occurrence off Somalia….}}</ref>
==Government==
[[Image:Simad.jpg|thumb|right|Somali Institute of Management and Administration (SIMAD), 2006.]]
Mogadishu has had no official government for many years now since the city was mostly controlled by various heavily-armed militias and factions. In recent years, however, the [[Transitional Federal Government]], with the help of foreign troops, appears to have finally amassed the necessary military wherewithal to engage the militias and reestablish the rule of law.
==Education==
The [[Mogadishu University]] is a non-governmental university that is governed by the Board of Trustees and the University Council. The [[Somalia National University]] has been closed indefinitely due to extensive damage. Benadir University was started in 2002 with the intention of training doctors but has expanded into other fields.
Somali Institute of Management and Administration Development (SIMAD) has given the priority to the areas of business administration, information technology and accountancy due to human capital shortage in the country's private sector management.
==Sport==
The city is home to the [[Mogadiscio Stadium]], which plays host to the [[Somalia Cup]] and to [[football (soccer)]] teams from the [[Somalia League]].
==Notable Mogadishans==
[[Image:Iman (model).jpg|thumb|right|Born in Modagishu, supermodel [[Iman (model)|Iman]] was the first [[Somali people|Somali]] woman to appear on the cover of Vogue in 1979 and to sign a cosmetics contract.]]
*[[Iman (model)|Iman]], Model
*[[K'naan]], Artist
*[[Fatima Siad]], Model
==See also==
*[[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)]]
*[[Battle of Mogadishu (2006)]]
*[[Fall of Mogadishu]]
*[[Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007)|Battle of Mogadishu (2007)]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/somalia/mogadishu.htm GlobalSecurity.org page on the city's history]
* [http://local.google.com/local?q=mogadishu&spn=0.120112,0.204826&t=k&sa=N&tab=fl Mogadishu at Google Maps]
* [http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/MOGADI-W1.gif Map of Mogadishu (1997)]
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{{African capitals}}
[[Category:Settlements established in the 1st millennium]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Somalia]]
[[Category:Coastal cities]]
[[Category:Warlordism]]
[[Category:Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Port cities in Africa]]
[[Category:Mogadishu| ]]
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