One of the oldest cities on the continent, Mogadishu, is rumored to date back to the 10th century.
The capital of war-torn Somalia, it is known locally as Xamar or Hamar. Located on the coastline of the Somali sea, this city has served as one of the most important seaports in the country.
Following the arrival of the Italians in the late ‘80s, the city had only two towns. Historically inhabited by hunter-gatherer, its estimated population as of 2017 is 2,425,000 people.
Due to concurrent dispute and war in the country, the city has been left a pale shadow of itself. Its amazing medieval Islamic structures as mosques, tombs have also been reduced to rubble.
As Somalia’s capital and biggest city, Mogadishu is home to various important national institutions and it is also the seat of the Federal government of Somalia which was established in August 2012.
In this article, Face2Face Africa puts the spotlight on Mogadishu, the 10th-century wonder of the continent.