Somali history dates back thousands of years, with evidence of ancient trade routes connecting the region to the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The Somali people have a rich cultural heritage, influenced by various civilizations, including the Aksumite Empire and Islamic traders. In the late 19th century, Somalia became a target for European colonial powers, leading to the division of the territory among Britain, Italy, and France. After gaining independence in the early 1960s, Somalia faced political instability, culminating in a civil war in the 1990s that significantly impacted its social and economic structures.