Republic of Djibouti (former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas) is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia

Total area: 22,000 sq. km (land: 21,980 sq. km water: 20 sq. km)

Bordering countries: Eritrea over 113 km, Ethiopia over 337 km, Somalia over 58 km

Coastline: 314 km

Population: 451,442 (July 2000 est.) 457,130 (July 2003 est.) Population growth rate: 1.45% (2000 est.) 2.13% (2003 est.)

Capital: Djibouti

Independence from France: June 27, 1977
National holiday: Independence Day, June 27
Constitution: multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992

Natural resources: geothermal areas

Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclone disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

Agriculture productions: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels

Industrial productions: small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (1999 est.)

Environmental issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification Strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia

Djibouti has a strategic location:

1- It is right in the "middle" of the world's busiest shipping lanes 2- It is closed to Arabian oilfields 3- It is the terminus of Ethiopia's railways system. A vital link for Ethiopia's international trade.

The economy is therefore oriented and based on activities related to that strategic location. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center.

Since June 2003, policy-makers of Djibouti are planning to make the maximum profit from that strategic location. They partnered with Dubai's government to launch Doraleh project - US$ 350 million investment in infrastructure, the biggest ever in the country - to set up: 1- An terminal for oil tankers; 2- Containers transshipment facilities to service Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. 3- Oil storage facilities up to 500,000 metric tons of crude oil to cater for local consumption and supply neighboring countries.

No doubt that once completed the Doraleh project will establish the country as the Rotterdam of the "Horn of Africa" and boost economic activities. However, to create enough jobs to cope with demand (50% unemployment rate) more economic activities related to industries will be needed. Indeed, the Doraleh project, will boost only services activities that do not create as much jobs as industries - as far as developing countries are concerned.

Djibouti's policy-makers have another challenge that is to control the periodic devastating floods (originating from erratic heavy rains) that often create havoc and devastate the country.

There are business opportunities in the tourism sector, utilities establishment (long lasting inadequate supplies of pure water) petroleum products storage and handling, low cost housing schemes.

MORE ON DJIBOUTI 1- D&B Export Guide To Djibouti Digital Delivery by D&B 2- Conventional Electricity In Djibouti Challenges And Opportunities For The Future by Shibu Dhar 3- Naval Strategy East of Suez The Role of Djibouti by Charles W. Junior, Koburger

4- Historical Dictionary of Djibouti by Daoud aboubaker Alwan 5- Djibouti Energy Initiatives by Matthew Milukas 6- Bibliography of The Earth Science For The Horn of Africa by Jon E. Kalb

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GNP:: US$ 191 million (2000); 206 million (2002)
GNP- growth rate: 2% (2000); 0% (2001); 3.5% (2002)
GNP-per capita: US$ 466 (2000); 460 (2001); 490 (2002)

Click here for the difference between GNP and Parity Purchasing Power

GDP-composition by sector

1. agriculture: 3% (2000); 3.5% (2001)
   

2. industry: 22% (2000); 15.8% (2001)
   
3. services: 75% (2000); 80.7% (2001)

Exports: US$ 70 million (f.o.b., 2002)
Commodities: reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)

Imports: US$ 440 million (f.o.b., 2002)
Commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products

FOR CURRENCY EQUIVALENCE CLICK HERE

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A passport, visa and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required. Travelers may obtain the latest information on entry requirements from the nearest Djibouti's embassy or consulate.

USA Embassy of Djibouti 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 515, Washington DC 20005 Tel: +(1) 202 331-0270 Fax: +(1) 202 331-0302	France Embassy of Djibouti 26 rue Emile Ménier 75116 Paris, France Tel: +(33) 1 47274922 Fax: +(33) 1 45535053 Website: Click here
National Tourism Office Office National du Tourisme Place du 27 juin Djibouti Tel: +(253) 35 37 90 Fax: +(253) 35 63 22

Djibouti international Airport is serviced by Air-France, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and some airlines companies from the surrounding Gulf states.

Djibouti Merchant marine::1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (1999 est.)

Railways: 100 km - Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa Ethiopia - Djibouti railroad.

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Modern tourist facilities are limited. Below are listed some hotels. There are some expensive hotels with a certain degree of comfort in the capital Djibouti, while cheaper hotels are often rundown. For more contact the National Tourism Office.