What is the capital of Somalia?

The capital of Somalia is Mogadishu. Located on Somalia’s Indian Ocean coast, Mogadishu is the country’s largest city and the seat of its national government. It is also known locally as Xamar or Hamar.

Mogadishu grew as a major port in Indian Ocean trade. It became the center of the medieval Sultanate of Mogadishu and later prospered under the Ajuran Sultanate, linking East Africa with Arabia, Persia, and India. Its historic importance came from trade in gold, textiles, ivory, and other goods.

A common mix-up is confusing Somalia’s capital with other prominent Somali cities. Kismayo and Bosaso are important ports, while Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared state that Somalia claims as part of its territory. None is the internationally recognized capital of Somalia.