We have to start with the famine. The UN reports that famine in Somalia, which officially lasted from 2010-2012, killed 260,000 people.
Source: United Nations.
Famine struck in the early 90s as well, claiming 220,000 lives.
Source: Famine Early Warning Systems Network.
Back then, rampant tribalism and infighting led to extreme food shortages, food hoarding by armed factions, and eventually civil war.
Source: New York Times.
The turmoil spurned U.S. and international intervention, culminating in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, when two Blackhawk helicopters were shot down and 18 U.S troops were killed.
Source: Defense Technical Information Center.
20 years later, there's little improvement to show for the foreign intervention.
Source: New York Times.
The maternal mortality rate is through the roof. 1,000 mothers die per 100,000 live births.
Source: CIA World Factbook.
Infant mortality is even worse. 101.9 children die per 1,000 live births.
Source: CIA World Factbook.
There is a high risk of infectious disease, including rabies and hepatitis.
Source: CIA World Factbook.
Somalia's key export commodities are livestock, bananas, animal hides, fish, charcoal, and scrap metal.
Source: CIA World Factbook.
The key terrorist group is Al-Shabaab, which has been linked to Al-Qaeda.
Source: Council on Foreign Relations.
Here, the president of Somalia's Olympic committee lies fatally injured after a suicide bombing last year.
Source: Reuters.
The African Union has had a peacekeeping force there since 2007.
Source: African Union Mission in Somalia.
But violence is rampant, with tribal factions, military elements from Somalia and abroad, and Islamic extremists constantly doing battle.
Source: African Union Mission in Somalia.
Somalia is well known as the home country of the pirates who terrorize the key trade waters near the Horn of Africa.
Source: National Defense University.
The international community has devoted resources in the region to combat piracy, like these South Koran commandos raiding this ship.
Source: Time.
The average child spends just 3 years in school. 49% of children contribute to the labor force.
Source: CIA World Factbook.
Yet in spite of the hardships and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Gallup recently found that 94% of people in the region are optimistic about the future. There's nowhere to go but up.
Source: Business Insider.