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Djibouti facts for kids
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Republic of Djibouti
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 Emblem
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Anthem: Djibouti
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| Capital and largest city
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Djibouti |
| Official languages | French Arabic |
| Recognised national languages | Somali Afar |
| Demonym(s) | Djiboutian |
| Government | Semi-presidential republic |
| Ismail 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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June 27, 1977 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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23,200 km2 (9,000 sq mi) (150th) |
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• Water (%)
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0.09 (20 km² / 7.7 sq mi) |
| Population | |
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• 2012 estimate
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923,000 (158th) |
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• 2009 census
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818,159 |
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• Density
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37.2/km2 (96.3/sq mi) (168th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2011 estimate |
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• Total
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$2.231 billion |
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• Per capita
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$2,641 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2011 estimate |
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• Total
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$1.239 billion |
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• Per capita
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$1,467 |
| Gini (2009) | 40.0 medium |
| HDI (2010) |  0.402low · 147th |
| Currency | Franc (DJF) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
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• Summer (DST)
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UTC+3 (not observed) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +253 |
| ISO 3166 code | DJ |
| Internet TLD | .dj |
Djibouti (officially called Republic of Djibouti) is a country on the eastern coast of Africa. Djibouti gained its independence 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. Djibouti, had a population of 818,159 at the 2009 census. It is one of the least populous countries in Africa.
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).
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 Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east.
Djibouti has eight mountain ranges with peaks of over 1,000 m (3,281 ft). The Grand Bara desert covers parts of southern Djibouti.
Regions
Djibouti is divided into five regions and one city. It is further divided into eleven districts.
The regions and city are:
- Ali Sabieh Region (Région d'Ali Sabieh)
- Arta Region (Région d'Arta)
- Dikhil Region (Région de Dikhil)
- Djibouti (Ville de Djibouti)
- Obock Region (Région d'Obock)
- Tadjourah Region (Région de Tadjourah)
Cities
This is a list of cities in Djibouti. All places with more than 1,000 people are included.
| Cities in Djibouti | ||||||
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| Rank | Name | Population | Region | |||
| Transcription | Arabic | |||||
| 1 | Djibouti City | جيبوتي | 623,891 | Djibouti City | ||
| 2 | Ali Sabieh | على صبيح | 43,074 | Ali Sabieh Region | ||
| 3 | Tadjourah | تاجورة | 22,193 | Tadjourah Region | ||
| 4 | Obock | أوبوك | 17,776 | Obock Region | ||
| 5. | Dikhil | دخيل | 13,090 | Dikhil Region | ||
| 6. | Arta | ارتا | 9,789 | Arta Region | ||
| 7. | Holhol | هلهول | 3,519 | Ali Sabieh Region | ||
| 8. | Dorra | درة | 1,873 | Tadjourah Region | ||
| 9. | Galafi | غالافي | 1,849 | Dikhil Region | ||
| 10. | Loyada | لويادا | 1,646 | Arta Region | ||
| 11. | Alaili Dadda | علايلي دادا | 1,456 | Obock Region | ||
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.
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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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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French Somaliland in 1922.
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An aerial view of Djibouti City, the capital of Djibouti.
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President of Djibouti, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.
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Dileita Mohamed Dileita, the immediate former 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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The Lake Assal area
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Köppen climate types of Djibouti
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The blue-naped mousebird (Urocolius macrourus), a common bird species in Djibouti.
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Plant species on the Mabla Mountains.
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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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Khor Ambado 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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A plate of sambusas a popular traditional snack.