Djibouti

1888 (Thursday, June 7) – Djibouti becomes a French protectorate, later known as French Somaliland

March 1, 1946 (Friday) – Becomes Overseas Territory of France

September 2, 1967 (Saturday) – Renamed French Territory of the Afars and the Issas

May 8, 1977 (Sunday) – Independence referendum held (over 98% vote in favor)

June 27, 1977 (Monday) – Independence from France declared; Hassan Gouled Aptidon becomes first President

December 21, 1991 (Saturday) – Start of civil conflict between government and FRUD rebels (Afars)

December 26, 1992 (Saturday) – First multi-party elections held

December 26, 1994 (Monday) – Peace agreement signed with FRUD

April 9, 1999 (Friday) – Ismaïl Omar Guelleh elected President, succeeding his uncle

March 24, 2011 (Thursday) – Anti-government protests during Arab Spring; suppressed

October 23, 2012 (Tuesday) – Magnitude 5.0 earthquake strikes near Lake Abbe; minor damage reported

May 13, 2015 (Wednesday) – Severe flash floods hit Djibouti City, displacing ~20,000 people

April 8, 2016 (Friday) – Guelleh re-elected to 4th term amid opposition boycott

April 9, 2021 (Friday) – Guelleh wins 5th term in presidential election

November 27, 2019 (Wednesday) – Torrential rains cause flash floods, affecting over 250,000 people

July 19, 2023 (Wednesday) – Heatwave and drought alert issued; water shortages in interior regions

Continent: Africa
Location: Horn of Africa; borders Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia; coastline along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Capital: Djibouti City
Language: French, Arabic (official); Somali, Afar (national languages)
Currency: Djiboutian Franc (DJF)
Population: ~1.2 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3)

Borders: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia
Landscape: Arid plateaus, coastal plains, volcanic formations, salt lakes
Major Rivers: No permanent rivers; wadis (seasonal streams) such as Ambouli Wadi
Major Mountains: Mousa Ali, Goda Mountains, Mabla Mountains
Deserts: Grand Bara Desert, Petit Bara Desert
Lakes: Lake Assal, Lake Abbe
Volcanoes: Ardoukôba Volcano (active)
Highest Point: Mousa Ali Volcano (2,028 m / 6,654 ft)
Lowest Point: Lake Assal (−155 m / −509 ft) — lowest point in Africa
Climate: Arid desert climate; extremely hot and dry with occasional coastal humidity
Geological Features: Great Rift Valley, Danakil Depression, tectonically active triple junction (Africa, Arabia, Somalia plates)

Ethnic Groups: Somali (~60%), Afar (~35%), others (~5%)
Religion: Islam (Sunni majority)
Urban Population: ~78% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: High urbanization, primarily centered around Djibouti City

Famous For: Strategic port location, marine biodiversity, salt lakes, nomadic traditions
Cuisine: Skudahkharis (spiced lamb and rice), Lahoh (fermented pancake), Sambusas, Date dishes
Arts: Oral poetry, traditional dances, textile crafts
Sports: Football (soccer), athletics, traditional wrestling

Economy Type: Service-based economy with strategic port services and logistics
GDP: Approx. $3.9 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Port operations, logistics, telecommunications, construction
Key Exports: Re-exports, salt, hides, livestock
Unemployment Rate: ~26% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Djibouti City metropolitan area dominates; hinterlands less developed

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (in office since May 1999)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed (since 2013)
Legislature: Unicameral (National Assembly)
Constitution: In effect since 1992

Lake Assal: Hypersaline lake below sea level, surrounded by lava fields
Lake Abbe: Lunar-like landscape with limestone chimneys
Tadjoura: Historic town with whitewashed buildings and beach resorts
Day Forest National Park: Rare forest ecosystem in the Goda Mountains
UNESCO Tentative Sites: Lake Abbe and the Afar Triple Junction region