Djibouti Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: Djibouti
Official language: French, Arabic
Currency: franc
Continent: East Africa
Travel to the Horn of Africa
Djibouti is a poor country, but a haven of peace in the conflict-torn region around the Horn of Africa
Djibouti information
According to Countryaah, Djibouti is located in eastern Africa. The country borders the Red Sea and Eritrea in the north and Ethiopia and Somalia in the west. Djibouti is Ethiopia’s gateway to the sea, so tariffs are an important source of income for the state.
Background
Djibouti was under French administration until the late 1970s. In addition to Arabic, the official language is French. Most of the land consists of desert, which is why there is almost no arable land. In addition, it is very hot in the country because, already at the equator, it is partly below sea level.
Region
The neighboring countries of Djibouti are repeatedly involved in wars and violent conflicts. Since Djibouti is an important transit country in the region, there is relative stability there.
Highlights
The original beauty of Djibouti can be admired in the Foret du Day nature reserve, an area that has not yet been cleared. There are also flamingos and gazelles, antelopes and zebras in the arid regions at Lake Abbe in the south of the country.
Important facts
Alternative name: Djibouti
Capital: Djibouti
Official language: French, Arabic
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Franc (100 centimes)
ISO 4217 code
DJF / 262
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: east
Geo coordinates: N 11 ° 49 ‘30.5 ” E 42 ° 35’ 25″
Highest mountain: Moussa Ali (2,028 m)
Total area: 23,000 km²
Mainland: 22,980 km²
National border: 516 km
Coastline: 314 km
Politics
Dependency: France until 1977
UN member since: 1977
Other political affiliation: Arab League
Form of government: Presidential Republic
Economy
BSP: $ 827,000,000
GDP: $ 751,300,000
Economic growth: 3.7%
Export: $ 460,000,000
Import: $ 1,147,000,000
Electricity consumption: 316 million KWh
Oil consumption: 13,400 million m³
Cultivation area: 0.04%
Bovine: 253,000 pieces
Sheep: 500,000 pieces
Fishing: 370 t
Demographic data
Residents: 486,600
Residents in cities: 401,000
Average age: 18.2 years
0-14 years: 43.3%
15-64 years: 53.3%
> 65 years: 3.4%
Population growth: 2.02%
Birth rate: 39.98 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 19.31 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1.05
Fertility: 5.31 children / woman
Infant mortality: 102.44 ‰
Life expectancy men: 41.86 years
Life expectancy women: 44.52 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: DJ
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: DJI
ISO 3166 numeric: 262
Top Level Domain: dj
IOC country code: DJI
UN / LOCODE: DJ
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 14,000
Cell Phones: 58,000
Radios: 84,000
TV: 119,000
Computer: 31,000
Internet users: 17,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 100 km
Cars: 28,000
Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 1
Health
Number of doctors: 100
Daily food intake: 2.280 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 10,000
Education
Illiteracy: 31%
History
Foundation: 1977
Last sovereign since: 1977
Religion
Main religious group: Muslims
Crime
Prison inmates: 400
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 10,000
Defense Spending: $ 29,870,000
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
The Djibouti-based airline Daallo Airlines (D3) (Internet: www.daallo.com) flies from Paris to Djibouti.
There are also connections from Europe with Ethiopian Airlines (ET).
Departure fee
The exit fee is not always included in the ticket price.
Arrival by car
There are road connections from Djibouti to Assab (Eritrea) and to the west via Dikhil to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
Buses go to Loyoda on the Somali border.
Road conditions are poor and travelers should be aware of the personal safety risks. We advise against traveling to neighboring Somalia and Ethiopia due to the tense political situation. Travel to Eritrea is currently possible.
Arriving by train
The Djibouti-Ethiopian Railway runs daily between Addis Ababa and Djibouti. Tourists and business travelers should only travel 1st class. The trains are in poor technical condition and unreliable. Because of the tense political situation, there are security risks for travelers.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Private charter flights can be booked.
On the way by car / bus
There are bus connections from Djibouti to almost all cities across the country. Since buses do not leave according to the schedule, but only when they are full, long waiting times can arise. A new road leads from Djibouti to Tadjoura. Due to the poor road conditions, all-terrain vehicles are recommended. The asphalt road should not be left because of the general risk of landmines. Sufficient water and gasoline should be carried with you.
Rental cars are available at the airport and in Djibouti.
Documentation: International driver’s license recommended, but not required. If you present your own driving license, you can obtain a temporary national driving license. Proof of insurance is not required.
Traveling in the city
In Djibouti, minibuses operate at one rate and stop as needed. Taxis are available in Djibouti, at the airport and in Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Dorale and Arta. After dark a surcharge of 50% will be charged.
On the go by train
Trains run daily on the only railway line to the border with Ethiopia (see International Travel).
On the way by ship
There are ferries from Djibouti to Tadjoura and Obock (on the northeast coast of the Gulf of Tadjoura) (travel time 3 hours).
