Djibouti — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Djibouti: capital Djibouti, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Djibouti is in Africa. Its capital is Djibouti.

Climate

Desert; torrid, dry; extremely hot and arid

Coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains; low desert terrain

Djibouti has Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa and saltiest lake outside Antarctica.

Djibouti hosts military bases from the US, France, China, Japan, and Italy, making it one of the most militarized small nations.

Despite its small size, Djibouti controls access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

1862: France acquires the area around Obock through treaties with Somali sultans

1888: French Somaliland established as a colony

1967: Territory renamed the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas

1977: Djibouti gains independence from France

2002: US establishes Camp Lemonnier, its only permanent military base in Africa