Djibouti is a small but strategically located country in the Horn of Africa, bordering Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. It has a coastline of 370 km on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and it controls access to one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Djibouti is also home to various foreign military bases, including those of France, the United States, China, Japan, and Italy.
Djibouti has a rich and diverse history, dating back to ancient times when it was part of the Land of Punt, a trading partner of ancient Egypt. In the Middle Ages, it was the seat of the Adal and Ifat Sultanates, which were influential in the Horn of Africa and beyond. In the late 19th century, it became a French colony under the name of French Somaliland, and later changed its name to the French Territory of the Afars and Issas in 1967. In 1977, after a referendum, Djibouti gained its independence and adopted its current name.
Djibouti is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with a population of over 920,000 people. The majority of the population are Somalis (60%) and Afars (35%), who speak Cushitic languages. The official languages are French and Arabic, but Somali and Afar are also widely used. About 94% of Djiboutians are Muslims, mainly Sunni, while a small minority are Christians or follow traditional beliefs.
Djibouti is a developing country that faces many challenges, such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, malnutrition, drought, and environmental degradation. The country relies heavily on its port services, transit trade with Ethiopia, foreign aid, and remittances from abroad. The main economic sectors are transport, commerce, services, and agriculture. The country has limited natural resources and suffers from frequent water shortages.
Djibouti is a member of several regional and international organizations, such as the African Union, the Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Djibouti has good relations with most of its neighbors and plays an active role in regional peace and security initiatives. Djibouti also hosts many refugees and migrants from neighboring countries who seek asylum or transit to other destinations.
