Enjoy this information about Djibouti:
· Area: 23,000 sq.km/14,300 sq. miles; close in size to the State of Massachusetts.
· Climate: torrid, dry from June to October; high humidity between November and May; Temperature varies from the 70’s (December) to over 100’s (July); and April is the most precipitation with about 1 inch of rain for the month.
· Estimates: approx. 820,000 Inhabitants; 58% of the population lives in the Capital City, Djibouti (yes – the Capital of Djibouti is Djibouti).
· Ethnic Groups: Somalis, Afars and Arabs; Somalis and Afars speak Cushitic Languages, Branches of an Afro-asiatic Language Family spoken in East Africa.
· An estimated 20,000 Expatriates, mainly French Troops and their families, as well as people from Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia Communities.
· National languages: Afar and Somali; Official languages: French and Arabic.
· Djibouti itself is of great strategic value because of its proximity to the entrance to the Red Sea.
· More than nine-tenths of the population is Muslim, mostly Sunni. Some Christian religions are also represented in Djibouti.
· The population is divided into two main groups: the Issa’s and the Afar. The remainder is Europeans, Arabs, and Ethiopians. The ethnic component in Djibouti is mainly Issa’s, even though the Afar own most of the land.
· Tensions between the Afar and Issa’s were the cause of the civil war in the early 1990s.
· The ethnic divide between the Issa’s and the Afar is the cause of political hostilities.
· In the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a renewed effort to create a "greater Afar.” Ultimately, the conflict abated without significant regime upheaval.
· In the political sphere there have been attempts at power sharing to try to quell the conflict, though the political dominance of the Issa continues to be a source of Afar resentment and periodic unrest. In the social sphere the divide looms large.
· About two-thirds of the population of Djibouti is settled; the rest roam across the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia in search of grazing land for their cattle and goats. (NOMADS)
ECONOMY:
· Most Important Economic Asset: Strategic Location, on a major maritime route and trading route between Europe, Africa and Asia.
· This Strategic Location helped develop a Services Economy: ports, airport, railroad, transshipment, logistics, banking, insurance, real estate, and tourism.
· Agriculture and Industry are little developed due to the harsh climate, high production costs, limited natural resources, and limited highly skilled laborers.
GOVERNMENT:
· Republic type of Government with three branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial
· Strong Presidential System similar to the French system. The President was Elected in 1999 and Reelected in 2005.
· The Judicial System is based on the French Civil Law, Traditional Laws and the Sharia Laws.
· The elections culture: free elections, multi-party system, and regional elections.
· Civilian Authority is held over the Military.
US-DJIBOUTI RELATIONS:
· Strong and excellent ties have been built since Djibouti’s Independence in 1977.
· U.S. provides: Military training, border security, USAID health and education programs, and other humanitarian programs.
· Djibouti is an U.S. Ally in the Campaign against Terrorism.
· Djibouti is a platform to safeguard the security of the maritime route between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
ROAD SAFETY:
· Streets are narrow and lack of adequate lighting at night.
· Local driving habits, pedestrians, roaming livestock and excessive speeds pose additional risks.
· Police Roadblocks are sometimes difficult to see at night.
· Railway Crossings are not well indicated.
· Drivers and Pedestrians should exercise caution.
KHAT:
· Psychotropic foliage imported from Ethiopia.
· Khat contains amphetamines and a minute volume of cathinone.
· It is chewed by most men during afternoon parties.
· It has been used for thousands of years throughout east Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
· It takes the user into a state of stoned-out introspection and is a time consuming health hazard. It drains an important portion of many families’ incomes.
· Some consider it as a national pastime like wine in France and vodka in Russia.
· It is used during certain rituals and marriage ceremonies.
· It is legal in Djibouti and illegal in the U.S. and most European countries. It is actually controlled by the President of Djibouti’s wife.
RELIGION:
· Islam is the main religion in Djibouti but there are no constraints in practicing Christianity and other religions.
· There are Roman Catholic, protestant and orthodox churches.
· Political parties do not support or oppose any particular religion.
· There is no record of religious conflict in Djibouti’s history.
CULTURE:
· Djiboutians are of nomadic origin, they evolved at the crossroads of civilizations where they have reconciled traditions with modernity. They have preserved traditional laws, organization, beliefs, symbols and behaviors. Their traditions and history are recorded and passed on to new generations through oral tradition, songs (praise songs, marriage songs, rain songs, and war songs), poetry, dance, dress, handicrafts, etc. More recently these traditions are passed on to new generations through literature.
· Women are encouraged to go to school, to work, to vote, to drive vehicles, and to hold positions of leadership. With a new family code, Djibouti is moving away from a male dominated society.
· Djiboutians are friendly, hospitable and supportive of the U.S. presence and camp activities.
· Most Djiboutians speak at least two languages.
· Most local nationals have been working at the camp at least 5 years and they have learned English and developed technical skills needed to perform various jobs. They have adapted to the U.S. working environment.
· Exploring Djibouti: visiting downtown Djibouti, exotic islands, hiking, diving, snorkeling and swimming with whale sharks, visiting Lake Assal and Lake Abbé, peaceful sand beaches, windsurfing, exploring volcanic scenery, etc.
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