Official Name

Republic of Djibouti (République de Djibouti)

Head of State

Ismail Omar Guelleh, President since May 1999.

Prime minister

Barkad Gourad Hamadou. The Prime Minister is traditionally Afar to counterbalance the power of president who is Issa.

Administrative divisions:

5 districts.

Location

An arid coastal zone around the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti is just north of the Horn of Africa on the ::I strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.

Area

8,949 sq. miles (23,180 sq. km)

Independence

26 June 1977

President Hassan Gouled Aptidon

Capital

Djibouti 450,000 people (1989).

Other cities:

Ali-Sabieh 4,000 people; Tadjoura 3,500; Dikhil 3,000 (1989).

Population

580,000 (estimation of January 1995)

Languages

Arabic is the official language, but French is widely spoken.

Religion

Islam -- with a very few Christians

Currency

Djibouti franc divided into 100 centimes

National Holiday

June 27 ( Independence Day)