map of djibouti and djibouti map and information page

Description

The tiny country of Djibouti is strategically situated between the western edge of the Gulf of Aden, and the entrance to the Red Sea.

The Afars, descendants of 3rd century settlers, and the Issas from Somalia, are the country's two main ethnic groups.

In the mid-1800s, the French purchased a part of northeast Africa, naming it French Somaliland. Renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas in 1967, Djibouti remained its capital.

In 1945 Djibouti was transformed into a French overseas territory, but local ethnic fighting, land disputes with Ethiopia and Somalia, and cries for "Freedom" continued on. Finally, in 1977, France recognized its independence.

As a significant regional port, Djibouti's modern economy revolves (almost totally) around the shipping and refueling industries, as the country has limited natural resources and is (through little fault of its own) economically underdeveloped.

Plagued by a multitude of difficulties, including thousands of refugees from the Ethiopian civil wars, large tracts of unusable desert land, and a 50% unemployment rate, Djibouti struggles on, relying on foreign assistance and sheer determination.

Facts and Figures

Official Name Republic of Djibouti

Population 765,000

Capital City Djibouti (465,000)

Currency Djiboutian Franc

Currency Converter here

Latitude/Longitude 11º56' N, 43º15' E

Languages Arabic (official), French (official)

Flag here

National Day 27 June; Independence Day

Religions Muslim, others

Land

Land Area 23,180 sq km (8,950 sq miles)

Landforms Djibouti is in essence a vast desert wasteland. From the narrow coastal plain, the land rises in the north to a small series of mountains. Central and south Djibouti is covered by a stony desert, as well as scattered volcanic plateaus crisscrossed by deep, time-worn troughs, some with shallow salt water lakes.

Highest Pt. Moussa Ali (2,063 m) (6,768 ft)

Lowest Pt. Lake Assal (-155 m)

Land Divisions 5 districts; including 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, and Tadjoura

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Maps

Large (color) map here

Djibouti Outline Map here

Djibouti Map CIA version here

Djibouti Maps at UT here

African Continent (printable) here

African Continent here

Africa Landforms Map here

African Outline Map here

Questions

Question about Djibouti? Ask it here!

Suggested Links

Djibouti (Complete) information on the (GDP) overall economy, imports and exports, resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here

Djibouti Travel Info and Warnings here

Climate Djibouti is very hot and very dry, especially during the summer months, when high temperatures commonly exceed 110º. In addition, the country receives almost 10 hours of daily sunshine throughout the year, which adds to the oppressive heat factor.

Small amounts of rain occur in the northern mountains, and less frequently along the coastal areas. Inland the arid landscape is at the mercy of the occasional (often rare) summer downpour.