Official name: The Republic of Djibouti
Capital and largest city: Djibouti
Area: 23,200 sq km
Arable land: 0.1% (2018 estimate)
Population: 994,974
Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (mostly Yemeni Arab, also French, Ethiopian, and Italian)
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Life expectancy: 65.9 years (2024 estimate)
President: Ismail Omar Guelleh (since 1999)
Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Summary
Situated on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the small African nation of Djibouti acts as a crucial access point to the Suez Canal, which is renowned as one of the busiest shipping routes worldwide.
The port of Djibouti plays a vital role in the country’s economy, serving as its lifeline by generating the largest income and employment opportunities in an otherwise desolate nation.
Due to its strategic location near volatile regions in Africa and the Middle East, as well as its relative stability, Djibouti has become a highly sought-after destination for foreign military bases and consistent foreign aid.
France, the former colonial power, maintains a significant military presence in Djibouti.
Additionally, the country hosts the largest American military base in Africa, China’s first overseas military base, and Japan’s first military base since the conclusion of the Second World War.
Djibouti also acts as the primary trade gateway for its neighboring landlocked giant Ethiopia.
