Djibouti, politically the Republic of Djibouti, is a small country on the Red Sea coast in eastern Africa. With about half a million population this tiny Islamic nation has a long tradition of trade and business with oriental countries. The capital of Djibouti is Djibouti City, which has a harbor with an easy access to Red Sea. In spite of its infertile lands Djibouti has always been an important trading hub in eastern Africa because of its port and strategic position on Red Sea coast.
History of Djibouti
The history of Djibouti dates back thousands of years when the local nomadic tribes were involved in trade relationship with ancient Egypt, India and China. They exchanged animal skins and hides for perfume and spices. Due to their continuous contact with the people of Arabian Peninsula for over thousand years the Somali and Afar people of Djibouti became the first in Africa to adopt Islam. Later during the 19th century Djibouti became a part of ‘French Somaliland’, which was later named as the ‘French Territory of the Afars and Issas’. In 1976 the colony was divided in two different territories one of which later gave birth to the Republic of Djibouti on June 27, 1977.
Culture of Djibouti
Djibouti is an Islamic country that directly takes part in Islamic affairs of Arab nations. Just like in any other Islamic nation every town and village in Djibouti has a mosque where people regularly gather to pray and worship. In the time of religious festivals and events the people of Djibouti strictly wear traditional Arabian dresses. Women can adorn themselves with jewelry and headdresses in occasions. You will see a lot of Djibouti's history and art recorded in poems and songs and is passed on to the next generations orally over the centuries. The influence of French and Islamic art and architecture is evident in the buildings containing plasterwork, intricate motifs and calligraphy.
Geography of Djibouti
Encircled by Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea Djibouti is divided into two major geographical regions - the coastal plain and the plateau. The territory of Djibouti covers 23,200 square kilometers of land and 20 square kilometers of sea. The country geographically features rugged terrains with scattered plateaus and highlands. Djibouti’s strategic position near the world's busiest shipping areas and Arabian oilfields make it an important trading zone in eastern Africa. Djibouti is divided into five regions and one city that is its capital, Djibouti city. The five regions in the country are Arta, Ali Sabieh, Obock, Dikhil and Tadjourah.
Weather of Djibouti
Djibouti’s semi-arid to extremely arid weather makes it the world’s hottest climatic zone. The country suffers from blistering heat most of the time. The dry and dusty Khamsin wind blowing from Arabian Peninsula worsens the condition. During the summer months lasting from May to September the temperature rises up to 45°C. From the month of October the wet Trade Wind from the Red Sea brings rain to Djibouti. The temperature oscillates around 25°C in the months of December and January.
Therefore, those who are planning to travel to Djibouti should avoid the summer season. The country is best visited in December.
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