Somalia Channel and Indian Ocean to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. It lies between latitudes 2°S and 12°N, and longitudes 41° and 52°E. Strategically located at the mouth of the Bab el Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, the country occupies the tip of a region that, due to its resemblance on the map to a rhinoceros' horn, is commonly referred to as the Horn of Africa. Somalia has the longest coastline on the mainland of Africa, with a seaboard that stretches . Its terrain consists mainly of plateaus, plains and highlands. The nation has
Balad, Somalia market (currently not operating). Textiles are produced at the Somalitex plant in Balcad which supplies virtually the entire domestic market. Balcad Textile Factory was upgraded and funded by West Germany and Somalitex facilities were greatly expanded. It is considered among the best equipped textile plant in Africa. The investment in cotton showed fewer long-term results than the investment in bananas. The Administration of Balcad District of the Middle Shabelle region supported by the Somali Federal Government encourage the local and foreign investment in the region. Balad, Somalia Bal'ad District () is one of the districts of Middle Shabelle region of