Djibouti City

{{see also|Timeline of Djibouti (city)|History of Djibouti}}

There is evidence of human settlement on the eastern coastline of Djibouti dating back to the Bronze Age.

File:Djibouti City in 1895.jpg

From 1862 until 1894, the land to the north of the Gulf of Tadjoura was called Obock and was ruled by Issa and Afar Sultans, local authorities with whom France signed various treaties between 1883 and 1887 to first gain a foothold in the region.Raph Uwechue, Africa year book and who's who, (Africa Journal Ltd.: 1977), p. 209{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Somaliland#History of French Somaliland |display=Somaliland: History of French Somaliland |volume=25 |page=383}}A Political Chronology of Africa, (Taylor & Francis), p. 132 The exchange of Franco-British diplomatic notes of 2 and 9 February 1888 fixed the territorial limit between the colonies of the two countries; leaving explicitly under French authority the southern coasts of the Gulf of Tadjoura, including a peninsula composed of insubmersible plateaux, Ras Djibouti as a highly strategic location, a future bridgehead for French designs in the rest of Africa and Asia. It is then that this point begins to be used as departure for caravans towards Harar.

File:Photo of Djibouti in 1902.jpg

The French subsequently founded Djibouti in 1888, in a previously uninhabited stretch of coast. According to one account, this was due to "its superiority to Obok both in respect to harbour accommodation and in nearness to Harrar.""Jibuti" (unsigned article), Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th ed. (1911), vol. 15, p. 414. Ambouli was a small village before the French arrived, about {{convert|3 |km}} south of Ras Djiboutil. Ambouli is identified with the city of Canbala by O.G.S. Crawford, appearing in Muhammad al-Idrisi's map of 1192 on the coast of the Horn of Africa, southeast of the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb, and with Cambaleh, a town where the Venetian traveler Bragadino, a thirteenth-century European visitor to Ethiopia, resided for eight years.O.G.S. Crawford, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1789985 "Some Medieval Theories about the Nile", Geographical Journal], 114 (1949), p. 8 In 1896, the settlement was made the capital of French Somaliland.World Book, Inc, The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 1, (World Book: 2007)

The main purpose of the French interest in colonizing the region was to protect their trade routes to Madagascar and Indochina from the encroachment of other European powers. The town later grew considerably in size following the construction of the Franco-Ethiopian Railway. In 1895, Djibouti, which, not so long ago, was just a peninsula, already had 5,000 inhabitants. Many Issa and Afar nomads left their herds to settle here, built houses on what is now the downtown area. They became dockers and constitute the first local proletariat. The French and natives built hotels, houses, mosques and churches. The Yemeni, Egyptian, Greek, Armenian and Italian merchants and traders flocked to this promise that Djibouti represented. Additionally, the rich agricultural southern area of Ambouli continued to flourish due to an abundance of date palm farms and orchards. Djibouti did not attract as many boats as Aden. In 1896, Léonce Lagarde became the first governor of the French Somali Coast, a new name for the French dependencies in the region. At the start of the 20th century, Djibouti had 10,000 inhabitants and was considered a major regional port. Its main activity remains the supply of French ships en route to Indochina or Madagascar. Only 150,000 tonnes of freight per year were handled. In addition, the railway line has not yet been fully exploited.

Although the initial French efforts to establish commercial influence in the region proved to be unsuccessful enough to require a government bailout,"{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Abyssinia#Provinces and Towns |display=Abyssinia: (7) Provinces and Towns |volume=1 |page=86}} the Franco-Ethiopian Railway itself was a success and allowed Djibouti's commerce to quickly eclipse the former caravan-based trade carried on with nearby Zeila in British Somaliland."{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Zaila |volume=28 |page=950}} Djibouti became the center of exports from southern Ethiopia and the Ogaden, including trade in Harari coffee and khat."{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Jibuti |volume=15 |page=414}}" (i.e., Djibouti) Djibouti began to develop as a commercial center. On 12 July 1926, the Fontainebleau, a Messageries Maritimes steamer loaded with cotton and heading for China caught fire while approaching Djibouti. The captain decided to flood the holds and run aground his ship in the middle of the harbor of Djibouti, causing significant inconvenience for port traffic. The city then proposed using the wreck as a promontory of a new deep-water port, connecting it to the Marabout plateau by a 700-meter jetty. The idea was accepted and work began in 1931. The first phase was completed in 1935 and considerably increased port and rail traffic. In 1933, Djibouti was the first town to be wired to electricity in French Somaliland, and an oil terminal was built in 1937.

File:OlderDjibouticity.jpg in the 1940s]]

During the Second World War, Djibouti was hit by Italian airstrikes on 21 June 1940, which killed many people in the town. The anti-aircraft fire was intense and two Italian aircraft failed to return, but fires and explosions were seen in Djibouti. Overnight, several waves of Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 bombers attacked the port facilities. After the defeat of France the colony came under the control of the pro-Axis Vichy government.{{sfn|Raugh|1993|pp=75–76}} By that time, the Allied offensive against the Italians included a blockade of French Somaliland. On 25 September the RAF launched several airstrikes on the city, prompting governor Pierre Nouailhetas to institute a brutal reign of terror against Europeans and African inhabitants of the city. Famine set in and malnutrition-related diseases took many lives, 70% of them women and children, and many townsfolk left for the hinterland. The locals named the blockade the carmii, a word for a type of sorghum usually reserved for cattle, but used as human food at the height of the famine. The head doctor at the hospital committed suicide in despair. Only a few Arab dhows (boutres) managed to run the blockade to Djibouti and Obock and only two French ships from Madagascar managed to run it.

The Japanese declaration of war (7 December 1941) gave the colony some respite, since the Royal Navy were forced to withdraw all but two ships from the blockade for use in the Far East. The rule of Nouailhetas was too brutal for even the authoritarian leaders at Vichy to stand for.{{sfn|Rovighi|1995|p=109}} In October 1942 he was recalled and forced to retire without a pension, Following the war, he escaped to Portugal. He returned to face a military tribunal and was acquitted on 17 July 1953, which sparked outrage in Djibouti.

The Commander-in-Chief, East Africa, William Platt, codenamed the negotiations for the surrender of French Somaliland "Pentagon", because there were five sides: himself, the Vichy governor, the Free French, the British minister at Addis Ababa and the United States. Christian Raimond Dupont, the governor of French Somaliland, surrendered and Colonel Raynal's troops crossed back into French Somaliland on 26 December 1942, completing its liberation. The official handover took place at 10:00 p.m. on 28 December.{{sfn|Ebsworth|1953|p=568}} The first governor appointed under the Free French was André Bayardelle.

In 1946, Djibouti received the status of overseas territory. An elected territorial assembly was created then, in 1956, a government council charged, under the chairmanship of the head of the territory, with the management of local affairs. At the same time, fiscal, customs and monetary measures are put in place to promote the development of the deep-water port, to finally compete with Aden. Port facilities expanded considerably and could afford to accommodate 2,000 ships per year. Djibouti becomes a free port and abandons the free zone. In 1948, a new currency, the Côte Française des Somalis, was created, pegged to the gold standard and convertible into dollars.

File:A-demonstration-in-Djibouti-Africa-1967-352022097779.jpg

In August 1966, an official visit to the territory by then French President, General Charles de Gaulle, was also met with demonstrations and rioting.Newsweek, Volume 81, (Newsweek: 1973), p.254. In response to the protests, de Gaulle ordered another referendum. On 19 March 1967, a second plebiscite was held to determine the fate of the territory. Initial results supported a continued but looser relationship with France. However, the referendum was again marred by reports of vote rigging on the part of the French authorities, voters rejected independence by a 50-point margin. Announcement of the plebiscite results sparked civil unrest, including several deaths.Jean Strouse, Newsweek, Volume 69, Issues 10–17, (Newsweek: 1967), p.48.Alvin J. Cottrell, Robert Michael Burrell, Georgetown University. Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Indian Ocean: its political, economic, and military importance, (Praeger: 1972), p.166.

The population of Djibouti was growing rapidly, from officially about 17,000 inhabitants in 1947. In 1949, the plan of Djibouti consisted of four main features: a hierarchical system of streets laid out in a grid, large blocks consisting of small-scale domestic dwellings, the organization of these blocks around central open spaces, and the concentration of cultural institutions to form a civic center. It then became the headquarters of the succeeding French Territory of the Afars and Issas.

When Djibouti declared Independence on 27 June 1977, the population of Djibouti was over 110,000, the city has since served as the administrative and commercial capital of the Republic of Djibouti.Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p. 322 {{ISBN|0-19-829645-2}}

File:Djibouti City in the 1970s at Place 27 June.jpg

Djibouti has an arid climate (Köppen: BWh). It is characterised by very hot rainless summers and a very warm, slightly wetter winter season. Most of the annual precipitation falls between October and May. The city sees on average {{convert|163.5|mm|in|2}} of rainfall per year. Average high temperatures range from {{convert|29|C|F}} during the months of December, January and February, to about {{convert|42|C|F}} in July. There are two seasons: a hot dry season from May to October and a cooler season with more precipitation from November to April (winter). The rainfall on the coast usually occurs between November and March, whereas further inland it falls between April and October. In the summer months, temperatures routinely exceed {{convert|40|C|F}}, with relative humidity at its lowest point of the year. Sunshine is abundant in the city, averaging eight to ten hours a day year-round. It is lowest during the rainy period, when there is some coastal fog and greater cloud coverage as warm air passes over the cool sea surface. However, precipitation is highly variable and long periods without any rainfall occur throughout the year. Unusual episodes of heavy rain sometimes occur, with a maximal {{convert|224|mm|in|2}} falling in November 1949.KNMI Climate explorer, Precipitation totals 1901–2000

This climate zone has summers that reach a maximum temperature of {{convert|41.7|C|F}} and a minimum temperature of {{convert|32|C|F}}. Winters have average nighttime temperatures of {{convert|21|C|F}} and a daytime maximum temperatures of {{convert|29|C|F|}}. There are barely any days in the year without sunshine, and even during the winter there are many clear days.

{{Weather box

|location = Djibouti (1961–1990)

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 32.1

|Feb record high C = 32.6

|Mar record high C = 36.1

|Apr record high C = 36.4

|May record high C = 44.5

|Jun record high C = 45.9

|Jul record high C = 45.9

|Aug record high C = 45.8

|Sep record high C = 43.6

|Oct record high C = 38.3

|Nov record high C = 34.8

|Dec record high C = 32.6

|year record high C = 45.9

|Jan high C = 28.7

|Feb high C = 29.0

|Mar high C = 30.2

|Apr high C = 32.0

|May high C = 34.9

|Jun high C = 39.0

|Jul high C = 41.7

|Aug high C = 41.2

|Sep high C = 37.2

|Oct high C = 33.1

|Nov high C = 30.8

|Dec high C = 29.3

|year high C = 33.9

|Jan mean C = 25.1

|Feb mean C = 25.7

|Mar mean C = 27.0

|Apr mean C = 28.7

|May mean C = 31.0

|Jun mean C = 34.2

|Jul mean C = 36.4

|Aug mean C = 36.0

|Sep mean C = 33.1

|Oct mean C = 29.3

|Nov mean C = 26.9

|Dec mean C = 25.4

|year mean C = 29.9

|Jan low C = 21.5

|Feb low C = 22.5

|Mar low C = 23.8

|Apr low C = 25.4

|May low C = 27.0

|Jun low C = 29.3

|Jul low C = 31.1

|Aug low C = 30.6

|Sep low C = 28.9

|Oct low C = 25.6

|Nov low C = 23.1

|Dec low C = 21.6

|year low C = 25.9

|Jan record low C = 16.0

|Feb record low C = 16.2

|Mar record low C = 17.0

|Apr record low C = 18.5

|May record low C = 19.8

|Jun record low C = 24.0

|Jul record low C = 23.3

|Aug record low C = 24.1

|Sep record low C = 23.1

|Oct record low C = 17.2

|Nov record low C = 17.8

|Dec record low C = 16.8

|year record low C = 16.0

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 10.0

|Feb rain mm = 18.8

|Mar rain mm = 20.3

|Apr rain mm = 28.9

|May rain mm = 16.7

|Jun rain mm = 0.1

|Jul rain mm = 6.2

|Aug rain mm = 5.6

|Sep rain mm = 3.1

|Oct rain mm = 20.2

|Nov rain mm = 22.4

|Dec rain mm = 11.2

|year rain mm = 163.5

|unit rain days = 1.0 mm

|Jan rain days = 2

|Feb rain days = 3

|Mar rain days = 1

|Apr rain days = 2

|May rain days = 1

|Jun rain days = 0

|Jul rain days = 1

|Aug rain days = 1

|Sep rain days = 0

|Oct rain days = 2

|Nov rain days = 2

|Dec rain days = 1

|year rain days = 15

|Jan humidity = 74

|Feb humidity = 73

|Mar humidity = 73

|Apr humidity = 75

|May humidity = 70

|Jun humidity = 57

|Jul humidity = 43

|Aug humidity = 46

|Sep humidity = 60

|Oct humidity = 67

|Nov humidity = 71

|Dec humidity = 71

|year humidity = 65

|Jan sun = 243.9

|Feb sun = 218.7

|Mar sun = 262.4

|Apr sun = 274.0

|May sun = 314.7

|Jun sun = 283.5

|Jul sun = 259.0

|Aug sun = 276.8

|Sep sun = 278.7

|Oct sun = 296.7

|Nov sun = 285.8

|Dec sun = 271.6

|year sun = 3265.8

|source 1 = Hong Kong Observatory (temperature and rainfall),{{cite web

|url = http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/africa/sudan/djibouti_e.htm

|title = Climatological Information for Djibouti, Djibouti

|publisher = Hong Kong Observatory

|access-date = 15 October 2012

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140517215155/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/africa/sudan/djibouti_e.htm

|archive-date = 17 May 2014

|url-status = live

}} NOAA (sunshine and records)

{{Cite FTP |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/D1/63125.TXT

|server = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = Djibouti Climate Normals 1961–1990

|access-date = 13 January 2015}}

|source 2 = Deutscher Wetterdienst (rainy days 1968–1986, humidity 1953–1970)

{{cite web

| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_631250_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Djibouti (Flugh.) / Dschibuti

| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = 13 August 2017}}

|date=July 2012

}}

{{Historical populations

|type =

|footnote =

|1916 |17981

|1930 |22046

|1940 |27987

|1950 |35564

|1960 |39962

|1965 |50071

|1970 |70100

|1977 |110248

|1982 |149316

|1987 |230891

|1992 |279912

|1999 |312447

|2003 |379353

|2009 |475322

|2024 |776966

}}

Djibouti is a multi-ethnic town. It had a population of around 777,000 residents (including suburbs like Balbala) in 2024, making it by far the largest settlement in the country.{{cite web|title=Djibouti|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/djibouti/|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=26 February 2013|date=5 February 2013}} The largest ethnic group are the Somali and the second largest being Afars, both Cushitic speaking Cushitic peoples. The population of Djibouti City has risen exponentially with the successive waves of immigrants and refugees arriving throughout the 20th century. Many of the immigrants arrived from Ethiopia and Somalia in 1985 and 1991. In 2001 many undocumented immigrants, were expelled from Djibouti. Another mass wave of Yemeni refugees from Yemen arrived in 2015. Djibouti City was nicknamed the "French Hong Kong in the Red Sea" due to its cosmopolitan urbanism.Kevin Anglin, Becca Blond and Jean-Bernard Carillet, Africa on a Shoestring (London: Lonely Planet, 2004), p. 698. In 2023, the government of Djibouti launched a major campaign to combat illegal immigration, citing security and public health concerns.{{Cite web |last=|first=|url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230430-government-of-djibouti-launches-crackdown-on-irregular-migrants |title=Government of Djibouti launches crackdown on 'irregular' migrants |work=France24 |date=2023 |access-date=1 May 2023}}

The majority of local residents speak Somali (303,100 speakers) or Afar (101,200 speakers) as a first language, which are the mother tongues of the Somali and Afar ethnic groups, respectively and the two main demographic groups in the city. Both languages belong to the larger Afroasiatic family. There are two official languages in Djibouti: Arabic (Afroasiatic) and French (Indo-European).{{cite web |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=DJ |title=Ethnologue, "Languages of Djibouti" |access-date=31 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004134430/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=DJ |archive-date=4 October 2012 |url-status=live }}

Arabic is of social, cultural and religious importance. In formal settings, it consists of Modern Standard Arabic. Colloquially, about 40,000 local residents speak the Ta'izzi-Adeni Arabic dialect, also known as Southern Yemeni Arabic due to Yemeni immigrants. French was inherited from the colonial period and is the primary language of instruction. About 14,200 Djiboutians speak it as a first language. Immigrant languages include Omani Arabic (38,900 speakers) and Amharic (1,400 speakers).

Djibouti's population is predominantly Muslim. Islam is observed by 94% of the nation's population (around 740,000 {{As of|2012|lc=y}}), whereas the remaining 6% of residents are Christian adherents. The Diocese of Djibouti serves the small local Catholic population, which it estimates numbered around 7,000 individuals in 2006.{{cite web|author=David M. Cheney|title=Diocese of Djibouti|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ddjib.html|publisher=Catholic-hierarchy.org|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312034655/http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ddjib.html|archive-date=12 March 2013|url-status=live}}

File:Photo of Abdülhamid II Mosque.jpg in Jibuti City.]]

Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Muslim mosques.J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 899 There are also Christian churches and temples : Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Roman Catholic Diocese of Djibouti (Catholic Church), Protestant churches, Evangelical Churches.

File:National Assembly of Djibouti.jpg

Djibouti has the distinction of being both a city and an administrative province. The Djibouti Region is one of the six regions of Djibouti. It borders the Gulf of Tadjoura and Gulf of Aden to the north and east, and the Arta Region to the south and west. The Djibouti Region is the smallest province in the country, but contains the national capital, Djibouti, and thus is the region with the greatest population of people. Djibouti Region occupies an area of {{convert|200|km2|0|abbr=off}}.

The administration of Djibouti City is formed of three municipalities: The commune of Ras-Dika, commune of Boulaos and commune of Balbala. The Djibouti City Council elected members headed by the mayor, who serves a five-year term and appoints deputies. The mayor of Djibouti City, who has executive powers, and the National Assembly, which scrutinises the mayor's decisions and can accept or reject the mayor's budget proposals each year, are responsible for most local services, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection. Certain functions, such as waste management, are provided through joint arrangements.

File:Addsdjib.jpg

Djibouti City is the seat of the Government of Djibouti. Many government departments, as well as the President's residence at the presidential palace are based. The National Assembly (formerly the Chamber of Deputies) is the country's legislature consisting of 65 members elected every five years. Although unicameral, the Constitution provides for the creation of a senate. The Social Development Agency of Djibouti (Agence de Développement Sociale de Djibouti) has its head offices here, as does the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trade bloc. Additionally, the Regional Somali Language Academy, a language regulator established in June 2013 by the governments of Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia, has its headquarters in the city.{{cite web|title=Regional Somali Language Academy Launched in Djibouti|url=http://www.comesaria.org/site/en/news_details.php?chaine=regional-somali-language-academy-launched-in-djibouti&id_news=17578&id_article=119|publisher=COMESA Regional Investment Agency|access-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121105039/http://www.comesaria.org/site/en/news_details.php?chaine=regional-somali-language-academy-launched-in-djibouti&id_news=17578&id_article=119|archive-date=21 January 2015|url-status=live}}

The architecture of Djibouti reflects the city's history since the early 1890s and is marked by both native Djiboutians, Yemeni, French and modern buildings. The old section is filled with bazaars and souks nestled along narrow streets. Djibouti City has wide streets, restaurants, Plaza (town squares) and cafes while many of the boulevards are lined with trees. It is serves as both a center for commerce and entertainment, as well as a residential area. To accommodate the growing middle class, many new apartments and housing developments are being constructed in and around the city. A few of the building fronts have been renovated and date back to the 19th century. The Place of 27 June in the city center is also distinguished by its Moorish-inspired arches. Due to its numerous exotic edifices and structures, the city has also been likened to a European settlement. Since independence, the people of Djibouti have introduced new infrastructure and technology, which has led to new and innovative building concepts, ideas and construction techniques. Notable taller architecture in Djibouti City includes the Mezz Tower, SALAAM Tower and East Africa Bank. Djibouti City is the headquarters of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

File:Marderydjib.jpg

File:The People's Palace, Djibouti City.jpg on Boulevard Bounhour]]

The Théâtre des Salines opened in 1965 as an important cultural landmark in the national capital. Open-air, in the form of an arena; with concrete bleachers, the Théâtre des Salines is a mythical place for Djiboutians who were born before the country's independence. Indeed, this place has hosted many shows for several decades (plays, concerts, one man show etc...).{{Cite web |last=|first=|url=https://www.lanation.dj/le-theatre-des-salines-un-lieu-mythique |title=Le Théâtre des Salines : un lieu mythique |work=Lanation.dj |date=2021 |access-date=6 December 2021}}

The National Archives and Library of Djibouti hosts many artifacts and artistic treasures in Djibouti,{{Cite web |last=|first=|url=https://www.somalidispatch.com/latest-news/djibouti-a-new-library-and-national-archive-building-unveiled/ |title=Djibouti: a new Library and National Archive building unveiled |work=Somalidispatch |date=2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}} it holds many culturally important artefacts, including old coins, bartering tools, traditional artwork, ancient weaponry and pottery items.{{Cite web |last=|first=|url=https://www.hornheritage.org/djibouti-artifacts/ |title=SOMALI HERITAGE ON DISPLAY IN 5 STAR HOTELS IN DJIBOUTI |work=Hornheritage |date=2022 |access-date=28 September 2022}}

File:Djibouti presidential palace.jpg

The presidential palace is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Djibouti. It overlooks the Gulf of Tadjoura, with access to both the harbour and airport. The Governor's Palace of Djibouti was the seat of the governor of French Somaliland and French Territory of the Afars and the Issas from 1884 to 1977.

The Regional Somali Language Academy is an intergovernmental regulating body for the Somali language in the Horn region. On 28 June 2013, the Government of Djibouti, the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Ethiopia launched the Regional Somali Language Academy at a ceremony in Djibouti City. The event was organized by Djibouti's Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Culture and Waqf in conjunction with the Somali-Speaking PEN Centre of Djibouti, and was attended by around 50 prominent Somali-speaking intellectuals from the region and elsewhere. Among the guests were Somalia's Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications Abdullahi Elmoge Hersi, Somaliland’s Minister of Culture Abiib Diriye Nur, and the Vice President of the Somali Region of Ethiopia Abdihakim Igal Omar.

Djibouti has several public parks. The largest of these is the Lagarde Park.

Djibouti City economy, like that of Djibouti, is dominated by trade, most local businesses have their headquarters in the city. Djibouti Telecom, the largest telecommunications company in the country, is based here. During its existence, Djibouti Airlines also had its head office in the city."[https://archive.today/20070601035416/http://www.djiboutiairlines.com/contactus.asp Contact Us]." Djibouti Airlines. 1 June 2006. Retrieved on 20 February 2011. "Republic of Djibuti, Djibuti Airlines Head Office – Place Lagarde" Djibouti City is the financial hub to many entrepreneurial industries ranging from construction, retail, import and export, money transfer companies, and Internet cafés.

Djibouti City main trading ports, is a trading hub linking Europe, the Far East, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf. An estimated 2,500 ships pass through and call through the port every day.{{Cite web|title=Djibouti ramps up efforts to get seafarers stranded by coronavirus off ships {{!}} Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide|url=https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/djibouti-ramps-up-efforts-to-get-seafarers-stranded-by-coronavirus-off-ships/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.hellenicshippingnews.com}} The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) is a special economic zone located to the west of the city, which is subject to different economic regulations. The city's port is the terminus for Ethiopian oil transport and export. Increase in railway infrastructure has further enabled Ethiopian and Eritrean oil products to reach the capital.

File:Sabaibdjib.jpg branch in Djibouti]]

The banking sector is one of the principal foundations of Djibouti's economy. The financial sector of the Republic of Djibouti has grown dramatically in recent years, a process that began in the early 2000s, and that was in large part prompted by an explosion the number of exchange agencies and remittances throughout the country. The Djiboutian financial sector, with total assets of 265 billion DJF or 10.2 per cent of GDP, has not been affected by the international financial crisis. Djibouti has been considered an oasis of peace and a model of political stability in a region.{{cite web|url=http://www.djiboutinvest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=257&Itemid=611 |title=Banking – National Investment Promotion Agency – INVEST IN DJIBOUTI |publisher=Djiboutinvest.com |access-date=24 May 2020}}

File:SiestaBeach.jpg

File:South Djibouti Beach.png, overlooking the Gulf of Aden]]

Tourism in Djibouti is centred in the Djibouti region. City landmarks include historic buildings, two important public squares, and the Hall of the People. Many private companies offer organized tours of these sites.

The two small Maskali and Moucha islands are situated an hour's boat ride from Djibouti. They feature madreporic mangroves, with a rich seabed and colourful algae. Various fish species can also be found in the local coral gardens, including groupers, jacks and barracuda.{{Cite journal|last=Shobrak|first=Mohammed|date=1 January 2007|title=On the nesting status of some seabirds in Djibouti|journal=Zoology in the Middle East|volume=42|issue=1|pages=59–65|doi=10.1080/09397140.2007.10638246|s2cid=85422869|issn=0939-7140}}

Djibouti is a major transportation hub, served by a comprehensive public transport network. Roads leading out of the city connect it to other national localities and to Somalia and Ethiopia. Public transportation is provided through buses stationed at the Djibouti Bus Service Enterprise. The city at large serves as a point of intersection for the main roads and highways linking different parts of the country. It is one of the most accessible urban areas in the country, where one can find public and private transportation 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. A significant number of the city's residents use the local informal minibuses and taxis, which include a fleet of 400 green-and-white taxis. The main bus hub in Djibouti is the Central Bus Station, located at the crossing of Rue de Bender.

File:Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport Apron View.png]]

Djibouti is served primarily by the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport. It is the second largest airport in the Horn of Africa, and offers flights to numerous global destinations. {{As of|2016}}, the largest services using the airport include Air Djibouti, Yemenia, Air France, Flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways. It is the largest airport in Djibouti and serves as a major gateway for travellers to the Horn of Africa and the world. Located approximately {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=off}} from the city centre, the airport was opened in 1948. Originally a modest-sized facility, the airport grew considerably in size in the post-independence period after numerous successive renovation projects. Outbound international travel from the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport accounts for the majority of all air passengers traveling to and from Djibouti. Due to its strategic location, the facility acts as a civil aviation hub for the rest of the country. This makes for a large number of departures and arrivals, and it is not unusual for flights to be delayed in the holding pattern before landing.

File:The container terminal at the Port of Djibouti.jpg]]

The Port of Djibouti is one of the largest and busiest seaports in the Horn region. {{As of|2013}}, the container terminal at the port handles the bulk of the nation's trade. About 70% of the seaport's activity consists of imports to and exports from neighboring Ethiopia, which depends on the harbour as its main maritime outlet. The port also serves as an international refueling center and transshipment hub. In 2012, the Djiboutian government in collaboration with DP World started construction on the Doraleh Container Terminal,{{cite web|last=Bansal|first=Ridhima|title=Current Development Projects and Future Opportunities in Djibouti|url=http://www.aaeafrica.org/start/current-development-projects-and-future-opportunities-in-djibouti/|publisher=Association of African Entrepreneurs|access-date=26 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327074151/http://www.aaeafrica.org/start/current-development-projects-and-future-opportunities-in-djibouti/|archive-date=27 March 2013|url-status=dead}} a third major seaport intended to further develop the national transit capacity. A$396 million project, it has the capacity to accommodate 1.5 million {{convert|20|foot|m|adj=mid|order=flip}} container units annually. There are also daily scheduled ferry services from the Port de Peche to Tadjoura, Obock also some other destinations in Yemen, Somalia and Eritrea.

File:Nagad railway station.png

Djibouti is a terminus of the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway. For most of its length, the railway runs parallel to the abandoned metre-gauge Ethio-Djibouti Railway.{{cite news|last1=Blas|first1=Javier|title=Chinese investment triggers new era of east African rail building|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24bc5ae6-5756-11e3-b615-00144feabdc0.html|agency=The Financial Times|date=27 November 2013|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820070736/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/24bc5ae6-5756-11e3-b615-00144feabdc0.html|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=live}} However, the standard-gauge railway is built on a new, straighter right-of-way that allows for much higher speeds. New stations have been built outside city centres, and the old stations have been decommissioned.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-has-a-lot-riding-on-its-new-chinese-built-railroad-to-the-sea/2016/10/03/c069d4da-84be-11e6-b57d-dd49277af02f_story.html|title=Ethiopia has a lot riding on its new, Chinese-built railroad to the sea|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004064000/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-has-a-lot-riding-on-its-new-chinese-built-railroad-to-the-sea/2016/10/03/c069d4da-84be-11e6-b57d-dd49277af02f_story.html|archive-date=4 October 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Vaughan|first1=Jenny|title=China's Latest Ethiopian Railway Project Shows Their Growing Global Influence|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-global-influence-is-growing-2013-3|agency=Agence France Presse|date=10 March 2013|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816153337/http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-global-influence-is-growing-2013-3|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}} On 10 January 2017, the 100 km section of Djibouti side was inaugurated in a ceremony held in the new station by Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopia's prime minister Hailemariam Dessalegn. There are two local railway stations: a passenger station at Nagad, and a freight station at the Port of Doraleh.

Djibouti is twinned with the following places:

File:Dileita Mohamed Dileita detail 090114-F-3682S-269.jpg, former Prime Minister of Djibouti and UMP representative in the sub-prefecture of Djibouti]]

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Ayanleh Souleiman: Professional athlete
• Lula Ali Ismaïl: Djiboutian-Canadian film director
• Aïcha Mohamed Robleh: Writer
• Jamal Abdi Dirieh: Athlete
• Fadumo Ahmed Dhimbiil: Musician
• Moumin Guelleh: Athlete
• Abdourahman Waberi: Novelist
• Mohamed Ali Fourchette: Musician
• Yacin Elmi Bouh: Politician
• Xabiiba Balbalaaf: Musician
• Dileita Mohamed Dileita: Former Prime Minister of Djibouti
• Mohamed Ali Mohamed: Politician
• Abdi Waiss Mouhyadin: Athlete
• Choukri Djibah: Politician and Women's equality activist
• Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, diplomat

}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite journal|title=Jibouti and Madagascar in the 1939–45 War |last=Ebsworth |first=W. A. |journal=Journal of the Royal United Service Institution |volume=98 |issue=592 |year=1953 |pages=564–68 |doi=10.1080/03071845309422199}}
• {{cite book |last=Raugh |first=H. E. |title=Wavell in the Middle East, 1939–1941: A Study in Generalship |year=1993 |publisher=Brassey's |location=London |isbn=0-08-040983-0}}
• {{cite book |last=Rovighi |title=Le operazioni in Africa orientale (giugno 1940 – novembre 1941) |series=Volume II: Documenti |publisher= Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito |location=Rome |year=1995}}

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Category:Populated places established in 1888

Category:1888 establishments in Africa