# Djibouti

> capital city of Djibouti

**Wikidata**: [Q3604](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3604)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti_City)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/djibouti-q3604

## Summary
Djibouti is the capital city of the Republic of Djibouti, located along the Gulf of Tadjoura in the Horn of Africa. It serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub, with a population of over 600,000 as of 2018. Established in 1888, the city functions as a key port and urban center in the region.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1888.
- Population: approximately 603,900 (2018), 496,013 (2012), 452,447 (2005), 379,353 (2003), 312,447 (1999), 279,912 (1992), 230,891 (1987), 61,500 (1969), 387,000 (1995), 290,000 (1989), 250,000 (1984), 647,000 (2007).
- Area: 200 km².
- Elevation: 14 meters above sea level.
- Coordinates: 11.595°N, 43.148055555556°E.
- Timezone: UTC+03:00.
- Located in the Djibouti Region.
- Capital of: Djibouti, French Somaliland, French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, and Djibouti Region.
- Official languages: French and Arabic.
- Local dialing code: 21.
- Postal code: 77101.
- UN/LOCODE: DJJIB.
- ISO 3166-2 code: DJ-DJ.
- Situated on the Gulf of Tadjoura.
- Heritage designation: Tentative World Heritage Site since 2015.
- Twinned administrative bodies: Malé, Rimini, Key West, Rabat, Suez, Jizan, Port Sudan, Aden, Izola, Kailua-Kona, La Paz, Algeciras, Khartoum, Granada, Victoria.
- Head of government: Mayor Mohamed Osman Hassan Gouled (since 2022).
- Website: [https://villededjibouti.dj/index.php](https://villededjibouti.dj/index.php) (in French).
- Facebook: mairiedj2022.
- Aerial view: [An aerial view of Djibouti City](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/An_aerial_view_of_Djibouti_City.jpg).
- Locator map: [Djibouti-ville.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Djibouti-ville.svg).
- Page banner: [Djibouti City Wikivoyage Banner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Djibouti_City_Wikivoyage_Banner.jpg).
- Coat of arms image: [Coat of arms of Djibouti City](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Coat_of_arms_of_Djibouti_City.png).
- OpenStreetMap node ID: 27565085.
- OpenStreetMap relation ID: 3725245.
- OpenWeatherMap city ID: 223817.
- MusicBrainz area ID: 2fb1381a-771e-4e03-9475-703e846fdcd4.
- WHO's on First ID: 85670473.
- Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID: 7000584.
- Canadiana Name Authority ID: ncf12011792.
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n82006789.
- Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 154133009.
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: place/Djibouti-capital.
- Encyclopædia Universalis ID: djibouti-ville.
- Fast ID: 1217566.
- GND ID: 4070611-4.
- YSO ID: 508445 (Djibouti (kaupunki)).
- Wikikids ID: Djibouti_(stad).
- SNARC ID: Pinatubo.
- Freebase ID: /m/028096h.
- Geonames ID: 223817.
- VIAF ID: 124351320.
- IDRef ID: 028721713.
- BBC Things ID: e733efe8-9147-4057-9d8a-99a3bbce699e.
- Yale LUX ID: group/b51ecd4d-deca-42ec-87e8-711a151e21b0.
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987011410130505171.
- U.S. National Archives Identifier: 10044483.
- WordNet 3.1 Synset ID: 08780656-n.
- FactGrid item ID: Shumna.
- Interlingual Index ID: i82932.
- Sitelink count: 148.
- Wikipedia title: Djibouti City.
- Category for people born here: Category:Births in Djibouti (city).
- Category of associated people: Category:People from Djibouti City.
- Category for people who died here: Q55908810.
- Category: Category:Djibouti City.
- Languages with Wikipedia articles: 100+ including af, am, an, ar, arz, ast, az, ban, bcl, be, be_x_old, bg, bn, bo, br, bs, ca, cdo, ce, ceb, ckb, commons, cs, cy, da, de, diq, el, en, eo, es, et, eu, ext, fa, fi, fr, frr, fy, ga, gd, gl, gn, ha, hak, he, hi, hif, hr, hsb, ht, hu, hy, ia, id, io, is, it, ja, jv, ka, kab, kg, kk, ko, ku, kw, ky, la, lb, lij, lmo, lt, lv, mdf, min, mk, mr, mrj, ms, mzn, nl, nn, no, oc, olo, os, pa, pap, pl, pms, pnb, ps, pt, qu, ro, ru, sc, sco, sd, sh, simple, sk, sl, smn, sn, so, sq, sr, sv, sw, ta, tg, th, tl, tr, tum, udm, uk, ur, uz, vec, vep, vi, war, wo, wuu, xmf, yi, yo, zea, zh, zh_min_nan, zh_yue, zu.

## FAQs
### What is the history of Djibouti City?
Djibouti City was founded in 1888 and has grown from a colonial outpost to the capital of the Republic of Djibouti. It was originally part of French Somaliland and later the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas before Djibouti's independence in 1977.

### What is the population of Djibouti City?
As of 2018, the population was approximately 603,900. Earlier estimates include 496,013 in 2012, 452,447 in 2005, and 379,353 in 2003.

### What is the administrative structure of Djibouti City?
Djibouti City is both the capital and a first-level administrative division of the Republic of Djibouti. It is located in the Djibouti Region and serves as the seat of government.

### What languages are spoken in Djibouti City?
The official languages are French and Arabic. The city also supports multilingual communication in various international contexts.

### What is the significance of Djibouti City's location?
Djibouti City is strategically located on the Gulf of Tadjoura, making it a key port city in the Horn of Africa. Its geographic position has made it a hub for international trade and military logistics.

### What are some notable features of Djibouti City?
Djibouti City is known for its port facilities, diverse population, and rich cultural heritage. It is also recognized for its tentative World Heritage Site status, granted in 2015.

### What organizations is it associated with?
Djibouti City is twinned with cities such as Malé, Rimini, Key West, Rabat, Suez, Jizan, Port Sudan, Aden, Izola, Kailua-Kona, La Paz, Algeciras, Khartoum, Granada, and Victoria. It is also part of the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List.

### Who governs Djibouti City?
The city is governed by a mayor, currently Mohamed Osman Hassan Gouled, who has been in office since 2022.

## Why It Matters
Djibouti City is the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Republic of Djibouti. Its strategic location on the Gulf of Tadjoura makes it a critical hub for international trade and regional diplomacy. As a major port city, it plays a central role in the Horn of Africa's logistics and transportation networks. Its designation as a Tentative World Heritage Site underscores its historical and architectural significance. The city also serves as a focal point for regional cooperation and international engagement, hosting foreign military bases and global trade routes.

## Notable For
- Strategic location on the Gulf of Tadjoura.
- Role as the capital of Djibouti and historical center of French colonial administration.
- Rapid population growth and urban development.
- Recognition as a Tentative World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Twinned relationships with 18 international cities.
- Hosting foreign military installations and logistical hubs.
- Cultural and linguistic diversity with French and Arabic as official languages.
- Historical significance as a trading and administrative center in the Horn of Africa.

## Body

### History
Djibouti City was established in 1888 during the French colonial period. It was initially part of French Somaliland and later the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas before becoming the capital of independent Djibouti in 1977. The city's history is deeply tied to its role as a colonial and post-colonial administrative center, as well as its strategic importance in regional trade and military logistics.

### Administration and Governance
Djibouti City serves as both the national capital and a first-level administrative division. It is located in the Djibouti Region and governed by a mayor, currently Mohamed Osman Hassan Gouled, who assumed office in 2022. The city's administrative structure reflects its dual role as a political and economic hub.

### Demographics and Geography
Djibouti City covers an area of 200 km² and lies 14 meters above sea level. It has a rapidly growing population, with over 600,000 residents as of 2018. The city is located on the Gulf of Tadjoura, which contributes to its importance as a port city.

### Cultural and International Ties
The city is officially twinned with 18 global cities, including Malé, Rimini, Key West, Rabat, Suez, Jizan, Port Sudan, Aden, Izola, Kailua-Kona, La Paz, Algeciras, Khartoum, Granada, and Victoria. These relationships reflect its global cultural and administrative connections.

### Heritage and Recognition
Djibouti City was inscribed on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List in 2015 under the title "Le paysage urbain historique de la ville de Djibouti et ses bâtiments spécifiques," meeting criteria (ii) and (iv). This recognition highlights its historical urban landscape and distinctive architecture.

### Infrastructure and Digital Presence
The city maintains a digital presence through its official website ([villededjibouti.dj](https://villededjibouti.dj/index.php)) and social media accounts, including a Facebook page (mairiedj2022). It also features a detailed map and aerial views for public access and navigation.

### Language and Communication
French and Arabic are the official languages, reflecting the city's colonial and regional heritage. The city supports multilingual communication in international contexts, including 100+ languages with Wikipedia entries.

### International Codes and Identifiers
Djibouti City is identified by various international systems, including UN/LOCODE (DJJIB), ISO 3166-2 (DJ-DJ), and FIPS 10-4 (DJ07). These codes facilitate its integration into global databases and logistics systems.

### Data and Research Resources
The city is documented in numerous international databases, including the Library of Congress, VIAF, and Geonames. It is also featured in encyclopedias such as Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Universalis, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

### Population and Urban Development
Djibouti City has experienced significant population growth, from 61,500 in 1969 to over 600,000 in 2018. This growth has been supported by urban development and infrastructure projects, including port expansions and heritage preservation efforts.

### Strategic Importance
As the capital and largest city of Djibouti, it plays a central role in the country's governance, economy, and international relations. Its location makes it a key node in regional and global trade networks, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

## References

1. [Source](https://villededjibouti.dj/cv-du-maire.php)
2. [Source](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:DJ)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. [The CIA World Factbook. 2018](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dj.html)
7. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
8. Great dictionary of geographical names
9. Belarusian encyclopedia, V.6
10. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/1952387)
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things
13. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/dj.htm)
14. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File