Djibouti – country information

Country name	Djibouti
Official name	Republic of Djibouti
Capital	Djibouti
continent	Africa
Area	23,200 km
Population	873 000 (2013)
Foundation of a state	27. 6. 1977
The highest mountains	Músa Ali Terara 2063 m
State system	a multi-party republic with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Djibouti (Capital) 510,000
Official language	Arabic, French
Ethnicity/National Composition	Somali 62%, Afar 20%, Arab (Yemen) 6%, European 4%, other 8%
Religious affiliation	Sunni Muslim 94%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, Orthodox 1%
Currency	1 Djiboutian franc (DJF) = 100 centimes
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$2,648 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	43.17 let (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 2.8%, industry 5%, construction 6%, services 86.2%

Djibouti – Neighboring States

State	Capital	Area	Populace
Eritrea	Asmara	117,600 km	6 333 000
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa	1,104,300 km	86 613 986
Somalia	Mogadishu	637 657 km	10 496 000

Country overview

Djibouti – one of the smallest countries in Africa – lies in a strategic position at the Bab al-Mandab strait connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden of the Indian Ocean. It borders Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

According to Abbreviationfinder, Djibouti is a state in northeast Africa. Common borders in the north – with Eritrea, in the west and south – with Ethiopia, in the southeast – with Somaliland. The capital is Djibouti. The official language is Arabic, French.

The climate is desert, hot and dry. The temperature in winter is +26*С, in summer +36*С.

Resorts and attractions of Djibouti

The market in the center of the capital of Djibouti (Le Marche Central) is located just south of the city center, next to the church. The influence of Arab culture is well felt throughout the city, in the atmosphere and even in the buildings near the market.

Markets in Africa, like everywhere else, are full of excitement, noise, turmoil and shouting. It is difficult for an ignorant person to understand this mess of sounds, colors and smells. A terrible stench increases with the temperature, dirt is all around. More than half of the production lies on the floor or on the ground.

Country data

Location: East Africa

Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time: CET + 1)

Total area: 23,200 km²

Land area: 23,180 km²

Water area: 20 km²

Length of the state border: 528 km

Bordering countries apply to:
Ethiopia: 342 km
Eritrea: 125 km
Somalia: 61 km

Coastline: 314 km

Capital: Djibouti City

Districts: 6
Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah

Telephone code: 00 253 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m

Population

Population: approx. 810,000 residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 2.2% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 35

Life expectancy: 60 (male), 65 (female)

Official language: French and Arabic

Religions:

• 94% Muslim
• 6% other

Climate

In the summer months from May to October it is very hot with extreme humidity.

From October to April it will be cooler with occasional rain showers. Otherwise there is little rainfall throughout the year.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Djiboutian Franc (DJF)

Classification: 1 Franc = 100 Centimes

ATMs: not available

International credit cards: These are only occasionally accepted by large hotels, car rental companies or airlines.

Regulations: The import and export of national and foreign currencies is permitted in unlimited amounts.

Since money can only be exchanged in the capital’s banks, we recommend that you bring sufficient amounts of US dollars or euros with you.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

Since the general security situation in Djibouti is currently stable, it is not generally advisable to travel to the republic.

The regions of Mabla and As Eyla are considered to be danger points, as there are predominantly rebel groups. Likewise, you should not visit remote areas of Djibouti.

Because of the danger of mines, you should also avoid the northern parts of the country. Therefore, under no circumstances should you leave paved roads (not even to turn around)!

Behavioral advice

Avoid the poor areas of the capital, as the crime rate is particularly high here.

Keep several copies of your passport / travel documents in different places (in the hotel, with friends).

Economy

Because of the poor soil, there is only an inefficiently developed agriculture. The areas of the semi-desert serve as grazing land for cattle.

Industries: banking, agriculture, transportation

Natural resources: geothermal energy

Land use:

• Usable land: 0%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 9%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 91%

Plants

Since a large part of the country consists of inhospitable semi-deserts, there are only desert vines in many regions.

Mangroves only grow on the coastal strip and there are some forest areas in the higher mountainous regions.

Animals

Gazelles, lynxes and jackals are among the native animals that have adapted to life with the extreme climatic conditions.