Djibouti

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Republic of Djibouti
جمهورية جيبوتي
Jumhūriyyat Jībūtī
 (language?)
République de Djibouti  (French)
Gabuutih Ummuuno  (Afar)
Jamhuuriyadda Jabuuti  (Somali)
Flag Emblem
Motto: "Unité, Égalité, Paix"  (French)
"Unity, Equality, Peace"
Anthem: Djibouti
Capital
and largest city
Djibouti
11°36′N 43°10′E / 11.6°N 43.167°E / 11.6; 43.167
Official languages French
Arabic
Recognised national languages Somali
Afar
Demonym Djiboutian
Government Semi-presidential republic
 -  President Ismail Omar Guelleh
 -  Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed
Legislature National Assembly
Independence
 -  from France June 27, 1977 
Area
 -  Total 23,200 km2 (150th)
8,958 sq mi
 -  Water (%) 0.09 (20 km² / 7.7 sq mi)
Population
 -  2012 estimate 923,000 (158th)
 -  2009 census 818,159
 -  Density 37.2/km2 (168th)
96.4/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2011 estimate
 -  Total $2.231 billion[1]
 -  Per capita $2,641[1]
GDP (nominal) 2011 estimate
 -  Total $1.239 billion[1]
 -  Per capita $1,467[1]
Gini (2009) 40.0
medium
HDI (2010) Increase 0.402[2]
low · 147th
Currency Franc (DJF)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
 -  Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+3)
Drives on the right
Calling code +253
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.[3] It is one of the least populous countries in Africa.[4]

Djibouti joined the United Nations on September 20, 1977.[5][6] 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[change | change source]

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.

Regions[change | change source]

Map of the regions of Djibouti

Djibouti is divided into five regions and one city. It is further divided into eleven districts.

The regions and city are:

Cities[change | change source]

This is a list of cities in Djibouti. All places with more than 1,000 people are included.

Cities in Djibouti
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[change | change source]

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.

References[change | change source]