Brief History

In the 3rd century B.C., Arabians migrated to what is now Djibouti. Their descendants are the Afars, which are Djibouti’s natives today. The Somali Issas came to the country soon after. Islam was introduced to the country in 825, now it is the nation’s predominant religion. In 1843, Djibouti was acquired by France. The country was a valuable asset for France because of the capital city’s port which opens to the Red Sea. Originally known as French Somaliland, the colony voted in 1958 and again in 1967 to remain under French rule. In 1977, France transferred Soveirgnity to the newly independent nation of Djibouti.

National Flag

The Djibouti flag was adopted on June 27th, 1977. The light blue represents the sky, the green symbolizes the green of the earth, the triangle symbolizes peace, and the star stands for the unity of the country’s people.

Geography

Djibouti is a country on the horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the east and south, and Somalia to the southeast. On Djibouti’s east side, it borders the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

World Land Mass Ranking: 150th

 

Highest Mountain: Mousa Ali, 2,021 m           (6,631 ft)

 

Longest River: no major rivers

Main Languages

French, Arabic, Somali, Afar

Djibouti Population: 988,000 (as of 2020)

Capital City: Djibouti City

Capital City Population: 600,000 (as of 2018)

Climate

In the north and along the coast, Djibouti has a tropical desert climate. In the central-northern highlands, it has a semi-desert climate. The summers are short and very hot, and the winters are long and warm. Year-round, the climate is dry and windy.

Key People

Hussein Ahmed Salah

Abdourahman Waberi

Hassan Gouled Aptidon

Jamal Abdi Dirieh

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  Cuisine

  Due to the scarcity of water in Djibouti, most of their fresh fruits and vegetables are imported from neighboring countries. Many other cultures and countries have influenced the cuisine of Djibouti, making it quite diverse. Dishes are often cooked with Middle Eastern spices. Common Djiboutian foods include rice, bananas, meat stew, and soups.

  Below is a picture of Dromedary Tibs, a popular Djiboutian dish.

  Djibouti is a beautiful country with wonderful people.

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  Sports

  One traditional Djiboutian sport is called pétanque. It is similar to bocce ball, as players take turns rolling a ball as close as possible to the target ball. The most popular sport in Djibouti is football (soccer), and they have been a member of FIFA since 1994. Other popular sports in Djibouti include tennis, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and judo.

  Below is a picture of Mumin Gala participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

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  Culture

  Djibouti’s culture is very diverse since it is located at a crossroads of trade and commerce. The country draws influence from Arabian, French, Italian, and Ethiopian cultures. Djibouti’s population is made up of the native Afars and Somalis. 94% of the population identifies as Muslim. Music is an important part of Djiboutian culture, and each ethnic group in the country has its own style of music and dance. Some popular musical instruments include drums, tandburas, and ouds.

  Below is a picture of Djiboutian women dressed in traditional Afar and Issa tribal attire.