The tiny country of Djibouti lies on the Gulf of Aden at the mouth of the Red Sea. This position on some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world makes it strategically important: Djibouti controls access to the Red Sea. Outside the city, most of Djibouti’s land is hilly and rugged, a landscape of dry scrubland. Volcanic mountains rise in the middle of the country, while in the north a narrow strip of desert runs along the coast. The climate here is very hot and dry. In the hottest months, between May and October, a dry wind called the khamsin blows across Djibouti from the northeast carrying dust and sand.

People

Two main ethnic groups make up the people of Djibouti: the Issas, a people originally from Somalia, and the Afars, an Ethiopian people. Nearly all its people are Muslim. More than half of the population live in the city of Djibouti. Nearly all the rest are nomadic farmers, herding sheep and goats from place to place in search of new pastures. Although Djibouti suffered from civil war in the early 1990s, today it is a mostly peaceful country.

Economy

Djibouti is a small country with few natural resources. It makes most of its income from shipping: the port of Djibouti is the largest in northeastern Africa. Ships pay fees to moor in the harbour as well as to pass through shipping routes Djibouti controls. Neighbouring countries, such as Ethiopia, transport their goods into Djibouti by air and rail, from where they are exported by sea. Djibouti is a poor country and it receives large amounts of international aid. The government is, however, investing in new industries, such as energy and salt production.

Facts about Djibouti

Population 1,066,809 (2024 census)

Area 23,180 sq km

Highest point Moussa Ali 2028 m (6654 ft)

Capital Djibouti, population 780,000

Other major cities Ali Sabieh (pop. 44,782)

Languages Arabic, French, Somali, Afar

Religions Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Ethnicity Somali (Issa) 60%, Afar 35%, others 5%

Currency Djiboutian franc (DJF)

Chief exports vehicles and coffee (re-exported from other countries), hides and animal skins