Somalia and Vatican City Comparison

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Matthew J. Sapp Dr. Anene CPO2001 8 January 2011 Somalia Somalia is a small country in Africa located in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has been plagued with war and no government structure for over 20 years and because so, national growth is very slow. Somalia people have a much lower than world average lifespan, men living approx 50 years and women living approx 53 years. This short lifespan can be attributed to former President of Somalia Siad Barre. President Barre ended privatized healthcare in 1972 and devoted much of the national budget to military funding, leaving very little in the budget for healthcare and other programs. The capitol of Somalia is Mogadishu. Mogadishu gained world notoriety in 1993 when US Army Rangers and Delta Force Soldiers were shot down in 2 helicopters over the city. In 2009 Mogadishu again was in the media spotlight again due to seizing, capturing and ransoming of many shipping vessels and their crews around the Gulf of Aden. I chose Somalia because I have recently had the opportunity to meet someone that less than 6 months ago, was actually living in Mogadishu. I work with a UF student, Abdoulie Azomuloe that has told me about the daily strife his family has endured. Abdoulie and I have talked about the cultural and personal differences that we share. Before meeting with Abdoulie, I had no interest in Somalia or the lifestyles of that country. Now I have gained a better understanding and respect of his people and have found a new respect for my own personal well being. State of the Vatican City The Vatican was founded on Feb 11, 1929 with a treaty between Mussolini and Pope Pius. The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world with a population of only 500. The Pope is the leader of not only the Catholic Church, but also of the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI is the current Pope and succeeds Pope John Paul

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