This booklet is a basic introduction to the people, history, and culture of Somalia. It is designed primarily for service providers and others assisting Somali refugees in their new communities in the United States. Somalis have a long tradition of going abroad to work or study, and today, about 1 million Somalis live scattered around the world. The first Somalis came to the United States in the 1920s, and their numbers increased gradually, with a greater increase in the number of refugees in the 1980s, and a larger number arriving in 1990 as a result of the Somali Civil War. The discussion traces the history of the nation and comments on its land and social structure, as well as gender roles and culture. Before the Colonial Era, Koranic schools provided traditional Islamic education in Somalia. Western-style education came in the Colonial Era, with British and Italian influences predominating. Somali did not exist in a written form until 1972, and Somali than became the language of government and education. Civil war has destroyed much of the educational system, and much of the educational elite has left the country. Many cultural values are similar to American values, but others differ sufficiently that awareness of these differences is a necessity for those working with Somalis in the United States. Information is presented on Somali names and characteristics, and a glossary of common Somali terms is included. (Contains 28 references.) (SLD)