Djibouti

The country spans 23,200 square kilometers (8,958 square miles) between Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia, with approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) of coastline along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, characterized by volcanic plateaus and salt plains.

The territory became independent in 1977 after serving as French Somaliland since France established control in 1862 and formally created the colony in 1888, developing strategic ports for access to the Suez Canal during the colonial period.

The population comprises mainly Somali and Afar communities, whose traditions shape daily life, while French and Arabic serve as administrative languages alongside indigenous dialects, reflecting the colonial legacy and the country's position at a cultural crossroads.

The nation operates several deep-water ports that handle most imports and exports for landlocked Ethiopia, serving as a regional hub for maritime trade, with the capital city providing international flight connections and access to rail links completed in 2018.

Lake Assal sits 509 feet (155 meters) below sea level, making it the lowest point in Africa and the third lowest land depression on Earth, with salt concentrations exceeding those of the Dead Sea and surpassed only by Antarctica.

Inception: June 23, 1977

Capital city: Djibouti

Part of: East Africa

Shares border with: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia

Website: https://presidence.dj

GPS coordinates: 11.81460,42.84531

Latest update: November 30, 2025 18:48