Somalia is located on the Horn of Africa, the easternmost part of the African continent. It has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland, stretching along the Gulf of Aden to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east and south. Its capital is Mogadishu. The geography is primarily composed of arid and semi-arid plateaus, plains, and highlands. Somalia has a hot climate year-round with periodic monsoons and irregular rainfall, making it prone to droughts. The Juba and Shabelle rivers are the only permanent rivers in the country, providing vital water for agriculture in the south. Historically, Somalia was an important center for commerce in the ancient world, known as the Land of Punt. Today, the country faces significant challenges due to long-term civil conflict and the presence of the self-declared independent state of Somaliland in the north and the autonomous region of Puntland.