Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, boasts a rich history that stretches back thousands of years to ancient trading kingdoms along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Historically, the region was home to powerful city-states such as Mogadishu, Zeila, and Merka, which facilitated trade between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Somalia was influenced by Islam as early as the 7th century, becoming a key center for Islamic culture in East Africa. During the late 19th century, Somalia came under European colonial rule, with Britain controlling the north (British Somaliland) and Italy ruling the south (Italian Somaliland). The country gained independence in 1960, uniting as the Somali Republic. Since the late 20th century, however, Somalia has struggled with civil war, political instability, and humanitarian crises, though recent years have seen pockets of relative peace, renewed economic activity, and efforts toward rebuilding national institutions.