Djibouti
This article is about the country Djibouti. For that country's capital city of the same name, see Djibouti, Djibouti.
The Republic of Djibouti is a country in eastern Africa, located in the Horn of Africa. Djibouti is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the south east. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Yemen, on the Arab peninsula, is only 20 km from the coast of Djibouti.
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| National motto: ? | |||||
| Official languages | Arabic, French | ||||
| Capital | Djibouti | ||||
| President | Ismar Omar Guelleh | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 147th 22,000 km2 0% | ||||
| Population
- Density | Ranked 161st
21/km2 | ||||
| Independence | June 27, 1977 | ||||
| Currency | Franc | ||||
| Time zone | UTC+3 | ||||
| National anthem | ? | ||||
| Internet TLD | .DJ | ||||
| Calling Code | 253 | ||||
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History
Main article: History of Djibouti
The area of Djibouti has been occupied by several tribes, currently the Afar, Issa and Somali. These tribes had regular trade contacts with the Arabs, and adopted Islam as their religion.
In the 19th century, France established a protectorate in the area, named French Somaliland. In 1967, the name was change to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas. On June 27, 1977, the country was granted independence as Djibouti.
A civil war led by Afar rebels in the early 1990s was stopped by a peace accord in 1994.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Djibouti
The head of state of Djibouti is the president, who is elected for terms of six year. The president appoints a prime-minister, and heads the council of ministerse.
The legislative body is formed by the Chambre de Desputes, which consists of 65 members which are elected every five year.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Djibouti
Djibouti's coastal area is separated from the inland plateaus by a mountain range that reach up to a maximum of 2000 m.
The terrain is mostly arid and desert, the climate is hot and dry.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Djibouti
Due to the climate, little agriculture is possible. There are few natural resources and virtually no industries. Most of Djibouti's income is generated thanks to it's strategic location as a port, and it is an often used transshipment point.
The Djiboutian Franc is tied to the United States Dollar.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Djibouti
The population is divided into two main groups, the Issa, or Somali people, who make up about 60%, and the Afar, about 35%. The remainder is formed by Europeans (mostly French and Italians), Arabs and Ethiopians. The presence of two population groups gives was the cause of the civil war in the early 1990s.
Almost all of the people of Djibouti are moslim, only a small percentage is Christian, notably the Europeans.
Although French and Arabic are the official languages, Somali and Afar are widely spoken.
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Djibouti
- Transportation in Djibouti
- Military of Djibouti
- Foreign relations of Djibouti