The Republic of Djibouti

  • Capital » Djibouti City

Facts

  • Population » 942,000
  • Languages » French, Arabic, Somali, Afar
  • Religion » Islam
  • Life expectancy » 61 years (men), 64 years (women)
  • Currency » 1 Djiboutian franc (Fdj) = 100 centimes
    • Rates » XE

Geography

  • Area: 23,200 sq km (8,950 sq miles)
  • A tiny nation located on the horn of Africa, at the entrance to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes
  • Lac Assal is the lowest point on the African continent at 155 meters below the sea level

Adventure Travel

  • Drive on the Right
  • Lac Assal is Africa’s lowest point (157 m below sea level), the third-lowest point on Earth. and the saltiest lake outside Antarctica (BBC)
    • In 2015, Djibouti nominated Lac Assal for UNESCO World Heritage status
    • Coordinates » N11 41 00 E42 25 00
  • Lake Abbe is a desolate, steaming lake surrounded by limestone chimneys and a lunar landscape used as the “Forbidden Zone” in filming of the Planet of the Apes.

Notes

  • Its port is the lifeblood of its economy
  • Djibouti serves as the main gateway for trade for landlocked Ethiopia
  • France maintains a significant military presence.
  • Location of USA’s largest military base in Africa

Security & Safety

  • A long-running border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea makes the border region between the two countries extremely unsafe.
  • There is also risk of outside the capital city.

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This page was updated April 3, 2023