Italian Somaliland was a territory in the Horn of Africa that was under Italian control from the late 19th century until World War II. It was part of the larger region of Somalia and was established as a colony in 1889. The area was primarily used for agricultural development and trade, with the port city of Mogadishu serving as a key economic center. After the defeat of Italy in World War II, Italian Somaliland was placed under British administration in 1941. It eventually gained independence in 1960, merging with British Somaliland to form the Somali Republic. The legacy of Italian colonial rule can still be seen in some aspects of Somali culture and architecture today.