# Djibouti

> sovereign state in Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q977](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q977)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/djibouti

## Summary
Djibouti is a sovereign state located in the Horn of Africa, officially known as the Republic of Djibouti (République de Djibouti, جمهورية جيبوتي). It achieved independence from France on June 27, 1977, succeeding the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, and is strategically situated bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Republic of Djibouti (République de Djibouti, جمهورية جيبوتي, Jabuuti).
- **Capital**: Djibouti.
- **Independence Date**: June 27, 1977.
- **Area**: 23,200 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 1,152,944 (2023 estimate).
- **Currency**: Djiboutian franc.
- **Official Languages**: French, Arabic.
- **Languages Used**: Modern Standard Arabic, Somali, French, Afar.
- **Continent**: Africa.
- **Bordering Countries**: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia.
- **Head of State**: Ismail Omar Guelleh (since May 8, 1999).
- **Head of Government**: Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed (since April 1, 2013).
- **Legislative Body**: National Assembly.
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Timezone**: UTC+03:00 (Africa/Djibouti).
- **Coordinates**: 11.8° N, 42.433333° E.
- **Lowest Point**: Lake Assal (-155 metres).
- **Highest Point**: Mousa Ali (2,028 metres).
- **Electricity**: 220 volts, 50 Hz; plug types include Europlug and Type E.
- **International Calling Code**: +253.
- **Internet TLD**: .dj.
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: DJ, Alpha-3: DJI, Numeric: 262.
- **National Motto**: "Unity, Equality, Peace" (اتحاد، مساواة، سلام / Unité, Égalité, Paix).
- **Nominal GDP**: $3.52 billion (2022).
- **Human Development Index (HDI)**: 0.509 (2021).
- **Democracy Index**: 2.71 (2020).
- **Emergency Numbers**: 17 (Police), 18 (Fire), 19 (Medical).

## FAQs
**What is the geography of Djibouti?**
Djibouti is located in East Africa with a total area of 23,200 square kilometres. It shares borders with Ethiopia to the west and south, Eritrea to the north, and Somalia to the southeast. The country features extreme geographical elevations, with its highest point at Mousa Ali (2,028 metres) and its lowest point at Lake Assal, which lies 155 metres below sea level.

**When did Djibouti gain independence and from whom?**
Djibouti declared its independence on June 27, 1977, transitioning from the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas. Prior to independence, it was part of the French colonial empire, ending that colonial status on June 23, 1977.

**What are the official languages and demographics?**
The official languages are French and Arabic, while Somali and Afar are also widely used. The country has an estimated population of 1,152,944 as of 2023, with a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.509 recorded in 2021.

**What international organizations is Djibouti a member of?**
Djibouti is a member of the United Nations (joining September 20, 1977), the African Union, the League of Arab States (September 4, 1977), and the World Trade Organization. It also holds memberships in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Interpol, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization.

**Who leads the government of Djibouti?**
The country is a presidential republic with Ismail Omar Guelleh serving as Head of State since May 8, 1999. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed has served as the Head of Government (Prime Minister) since April 1, 2013, with the legislative branch consisting of the National Assembly.

## Why It Matters
Djibouti holds significant geopolitical importance due to its strategic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, bordering critical maritime routes. As a member of both the African Union and the Arab League, it serves as a diplomatic bridge between the African continent and the Arab world. Its status as a sovereign state since 1977 marked the end of colonial rule in the region, allowing it to establish its own identity and international relations, including strong ties with France, China, and the United States. Economically, the nation is developing its infrastructure, evidenced by its management of the Djiboutian franc via the Central Bank of Djibouti and its participation in international trade organizations like the WTO. Despite facing challenges such as a "not free" democracy rating and a moderate Human Development Index, Djibouti's unique geography and cultural composition, blending Afar and Somali heritage, make it a unique entity in the Horn of Africa.

## Notable For
- **Strategic Geography**: Located in East Africa at the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
- **Lowest Point in Africa**: Contains Lake Assal, which is the lowest point in Africa at -155 metres below sea level.
- **Multilingual Identity**: Officially utilizes French and Arabic, with national languages Somali and Afar.
- **Independence Transition**: Successfully transitioned from the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas to the Republic of Djibouti in 1977.
- **International Membership**: Simultaneous membership in the African Union and the League of Arab States.
- **Long-Serving Leadership**: Head of State Ismail Omar Guelleh has been in office since 1999.
- **Unique Motto**: National motto emphasizes "Unity, Equality, Peace" in multiple languages.

## Body

### History and Independence
Djibouti's modern history is defined by its transition from a colonial territory to a sovereign state. formerly known as the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, it was part of the French colonial empire until June 23, 1977. The country formally declared independence on June 27, 1977, replacing its colonial status with full sovereignty. This significant event is commemorated as the "Declaration of independence of Djibouti." The nation maintains the historical legacy of this transition, having replaced the previous French administration with its own governmental structures.

### Geography and Environment
The country occupies a land area of 23,200 square kilometres in the Horn of Africa. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 11.8° latitude and 42.433333° longitude. Djibouti shares land borders with three countries: Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. The nation possesses diverse topographical features, including the Mousa Ali peak, which stands as the highest point at 2,028 metres, and Lake Assal, the lowest point at -155 metres below sea level. The northernmost point is located at coordinates 12.7° N, 43.13° E, the southernmost at 10.9131° N, 41.94673° E, the easternmost at 12.12148° N, 43.41691° E, and the westernmost at 11.49323° N, 41.77104° E.

### Government and Politics
Djibouti operates as a sovereign state and a republic. The current Head of State is President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who assumed office on May 8, 1999. The Head of Government is Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, who has served since April 1, 2013, succeeding Dileita Mohamed Dileita (2001–2013). The legislative power is vested in the National Assembly. The country's political landscape is characterized by specific governance indices; the Democracy Index was recorded at 2.71 in 2020, and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) governance index was 5.17 in 2022. In terms of freedom status, the country has been characterized as a "not-free country" according to Freedom in the World rankings.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2023, Djibouti has an estimated population of 1,152,944. The population has grown steadily from 83,636 in 1960 to over 1.1 million. The society is linguistically diverse, with French and Arabic as official languages, and Modern Standard Arabic, Somali, and Afar widely used. The demonym for the people is Djiboutian. The age of majority is 18 years, and the marriageable age is 18 for all genders. Demographic indicators include a total fertility rate of 3.195 (2014) and a life expectancy of 62.465 years (2016). The Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.509 (2021), with an Inequality-adjusted HDI of 0.309 (2011).

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of Djibouti utilizes the Djiboutian franc as its currency, regulated by the Central Bank of Djibouti. The nominal GDP was approximately $3.52 billion USD in 2022. The country faces income inequality, with a Gini coefficient of 41.6 recorded in 2017. Infrastructure includes a right-hand traffic system. The electrical grid operates at 220 volts and 50 Hz, utilizing Europlug and Type E plugs. Telecommunications infrastructure includes the country code +253 and the top-level internet domain .dj. Emergency services are accessed via specific numbers: 17 for police, 18 for the fire department, and 19 for medical emergencies.

### Administrative Divisions
Djibouti is administratively divided into regions, which include the Djibouti Region, Ali Sabieh Region, Arta Region, Dikhil Region, Obock Region, and Tadjourah Region. These regions constitute the primary administrative territorial entities within the country.

### International Relations and Memberships
Djibouti maintains an active presence in international affairs. It is a member of the United Nations (joining September 20, 1977), the African Union, and the League of Arab States (joining September 4, 1977). It is also a participant in the World Trade Organization, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (1978), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) implied by regional context. Other memberships include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the African Development Bank. The country is part of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2006), UNESCO (1989), the Universal Postal Union, and Interpol. Djibouti maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the Philippines, Australia, France, Yemen, Taiwan, the United States, China, Germany, North Korea, and the United Kingdom.

### Symbols and Culture
The national symbols of Djibouti include the flag (Flag of Djibouti) and the coat of arms (Emblem of Djibouti). The national anthem is titled "Djibouti." The state motto is "Unity, Equality, Peace," expressed in Arabic (اتحاد، مساواة، سلام), French (Unité, Égalité, Paix), and English. Tourism slogans have included "Djibeauty." The country's culture is studied under the field of Djiboutian studies.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
Djibouti is identified by various international codes. The ISO 3166-1 codes are DJ (Alpha-2), DJI (Alpha-3), and 262 (Numeric). The UN M49 code is 262. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) code is DJI. The maritime identification digits are 621, and the mobile country code is 638. The ITU letter code is DJI. The country is also associated with the Unicode character sequence 🇩🇯.

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