Djibouti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Republic of Djibouti
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 Emblem
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Anthem: Djibouti
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Location of Djibouti (dark blue)
– in Africa (light blue & dark grey) |
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_-_DJI_-_UNOCHA.svg) |
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| Capital and largest city
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Djibouti 11°36′N 43°10′E / 11.600°N 43.167°E |
| Official languages | |
| Recognised national languages | |
| Ethnic groups |
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| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Demonym(s) | Djiboutians |
| Government | Unitary dominant-party presidential republic |
| Ismaïl Omar Guelleh | |
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• Prime Minister
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Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Independence | |
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• from France
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27 June 1977 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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23,200 km2 (9,000 sq mi) (146th) |
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• Water (%)
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0.09 (20 km² / 7.7 sq mi) |
| Population | |
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• 2020 estimate
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921,804 |
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• Density
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37.2/km2 (96.3/sq mi) (168th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2018 estimate |
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• Total
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$3.974 billion |
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• Per capita
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$3,788 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2018 estimate |
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• Total
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$2.187 billion |
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• Per capita
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$2,084 |
| Gini (2015) | 40.0 medium |
| HDI (2018) |  0.495low · 171st |
| Currency | Djiboutian franc (DJF) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +253 |
| ISO 3166 code | DJ |
| Internet TLD | .dj |
Djibouti (officially called the Republic of Djibouti) is a country on the eastern coast of Africa. The capital city is also called Djibouti.
Djibouti gained its independence from France on June 27, 1977. The country was created out of the French Somaliland (later called the French Territory of the Afars and Issas), which was created in the 1800s as a result of French colonialism in Africa.
In 2020, about 920,000 people lived there. It is one of the least populous countries in Africa. Two ethnic groups, the Somali and the Afar people, account for most of the people living in the country.
Djibouti joined the United Nations on September 20, 1977. It is also a member of the Arab League, as well as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Contents
History
The history of Djibouti goes back thousands of years when it was part of the Sabean Empire (Ethiopia) to a time when Djiboutians traded hides and skins for the perfumes and spices of ancient Egypt, Pakistan, and China. Through close contacts with the Arabian peninsula for more than 1,000 years, the Somali and Afar tribes in this region became among the first on the African continent to accept Islam. Djibouti is a Muslim country which regularly takes part in Islamic as well as Arab meetings.
The country is close to a narrow part of the Red Sea so it is considered an important area from a military viewpoint.
Geography
Djibouti is near to the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Awdal of Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east.
In the Great Rift Valley the rift between the African Plate and the Somali Plate meet the Arabian Plate. This makes a geologic tripoint that is the lowest place in Africa.
Djibouti has eight mountain ranges with peaks of over 1,000 m (3,281 ft). The Mousa Ali range is the country's highest mountain range.
The Grand Bara desert covers parts of southern Djibouti.
Most species of wildlife are found in the northern part of the country, in the ecosystem of the Day Forest National Park. This forest area is the main habitat of the endangered and endemic Djibouti francolin (a bird).
Administrative divisions
Djibouti is divided into six administrative regions, with Djibouti city representing one of the official regions. It is further subdivided into twenty districts.
| Region | Area (km2) | Population (2010) | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Sabieh | 2,200 | 71,640 | Ali Sabieh |
| Arta | 1,800 | 40,163 | Arta |
| Dikhil | 7,200 | 83,409 | Dikhil |
| Djibouti | 200 | 529,900 (2015 est.) | Djibouti City |
| Obock | 4,700 | 36,083 | Obock |
| Tadjourah | 7,100 | 84,041 | Tadjoura |
Religion
The people of Djibouti are mostly Muslim. Islam is observed by 94% of Djibouti's population (about 740,000) (2010 estimate). The remaining six percent follow Christianity.
| Religion in Djibouti | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| religion | percent | |||
| Islam | 94% | |||
| Christianity | 6% | |||
The Republic of Djibouti names Islam as the only state religion. The Constitution of 1992 provides for the equality of citizens of all faiths as well as the freedom to practise any religion.
Sports
Association football is the most popular sport in Djibouti. The country became a member of FIFA in 1994. They have only played in qualifying rounds for both the African Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.
Transportation
The country is linked to Ethiopia by way of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway.
Gallery
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Lake Assal
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Traditional houses on the Mabla Mountains
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Lake Abbe
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The mountains near Dasbiyo
Images for kids
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Geometric design pottery found in Asa Koma.
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Prehistoric rock art and tombs in Djibouti.
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Queen Ati, wife of King Perahu of Punt, as depicted on Pharaoh Hatshepsut's temple at Deir el-Bahri.
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Approximate extension of the Kingdom of Adal
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The Ifat Sultanate's realm in the 14th century.
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The Sultan of Adal (right) and his troops battling King Yagbea-Sion and his men.
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The Ottoman Eyalet in 1566.
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Map of the French Somali Coast and neighboring regions in 1870
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Referendum demonstration in Djibouti in 1967
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An aerial view of Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti.
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The Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis (FLCS)
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Ahmed Dini Ahmed proclaiming the Djibouti Declaration of Independence on 27 June 1977.
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President of Djibouti, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.
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Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Djibouti.
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The Djibouti National Assembly in Djibouti City.
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Maryama base during a martial exercise in the Arta Region.
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Grand Bara desert in 2017
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Plant species on the Forêt du Day National Park.
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Djibouti GDP by sector
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A proportional representation of Djibouti's exports.
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Djibouti's gross domestic product expanded by an average of more than 6 percent per year, from US$341 million in 1985 to US$1.5 billion in 2015.
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Main Terminal at Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport.
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The Djibouti Telecom headquarters in Djibouti City.
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Arta Plage on the Gulf of Tadjoura.
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Entrance to the ISSS Faculty of Medicine in Djibouti City.
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Djiboutian women participating in the Global Pulse educational initiative (2010).
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Traditional wood-carved jar from Oue'a in the Tadjourah region.
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The oud is a common instrument in traditional Djibouti music.
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El Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon Stadium in Djibouti City.
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A plate of sambusas a popular traditional snack.
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Beach south of Djibouti City, overlooking the Gulf of Aden
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