Djibouti is a small Horn of Africa nation at the mouth of the Red Sea, hosting major foreign military bases due to its strategic position on global shipping lanes between Asia and Europe.
Geography & landscape
Djibouti sits in Eastern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 23,200 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Djibouti, lies near coordinates 11.5°, 43°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Djibouti.
People & society
The population of Djibouti is around 1M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Djibouti recognises multiple official languages — Arabic and French — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Djibouti is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Djibouti, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Djibouti is the Djiboutian Franc (DJF). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Djibouti and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Djibouti shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Djibouti through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Djibouti, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +253, and clocks are set to the EAT (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Djibouti as DJ (alpha-2) and DJI (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇩🇯, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Djibouti | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Africa | — |
| Population | 1M | people |
| Area | 23,200 | km² |
| Currency | Djiboutian Franc (DJF) | — |
| Calling code | +253 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | DJ | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | DJI | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 11.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | 43 | degrees |
Did you know?
Djibouti's Lake Assal is the lowest point in Africa at 155 m below sea level and one of the world's saltiest bodies of water.
