Djibouti: flag, capital, currency and history

Djibouti, officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in Eastern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Djibouti. The currency is the Djiboutian franc. Languages spoken include Arabic and French.

Quick facts about Djibouti

Official name: Republic of Djibouti
Capital: Djibouti
Region: Africa, Eastern Africa
Currency: Djiboutian franc (DJF, Fr)
Languages: Arabic, French
Calling code: +253
Internet domain: .dj
Area: 23,200 km² (8,958 sq mi)
Land borders: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia
Demonym: Djibouti
National day: Independence Day, June 27

Flag of Djibouti

Download the flag of Djibouti as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇩🇯.

SVG (vector)

History of Djibouti

The region has long been inhabited by Afar and Somali peoples, and its coast was part of trade routes linking the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. France established a presence at Obock in the 1860s and expanded its control in the 1880s, creating French Somaliland. The territory was renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas in 1967. A railway to Ethiopia was completed in the early 20th century. Djibouti became independent on 27 June 1977, and it is a small state on the Gulf of Aden.

Key dates

1862France acquires the port of Obock from local Afar leaders.
1880sFrance extends its protectorate over the coast, forming French Somaliland.
1917The railway linking Djibouti city with Addis Ababa is completed.
1967The territory is renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas.
1977Djibouti gains independence from France.
1990sAn internal conflict in the north ends with a peace agreement.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.