Geography of Djibouti – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Djibouti including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Djibouti.
- Djibouti is officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country located in the Horn of Africa.
- It is bordered by Somaliland in the south, Ethiopia in the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in the east. Across the Gulf of Aden is Yemen. The country has a total area of 23,200 km2 (8,958 sq mi).
- Djibouti is a multi-ethnic nation with a population of over 921,804 inhabitants (the smallest in mainland Africa).
- French and Arabic are the country’s two official languages, Afar and Somali are national languages. About 94% of residents adhere to Islam, which is the official religion and has been predominant in the region for more than a thousand years.
- The Somalis and Afar make up the two largest ethnic groups, with the former comprising the majority of the population. Both speak the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic languages.
- Djibouti is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. To the east is its coastline on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
- Djibouti shares 125 kilometres (78 mi) of border with Eritrea, 390 kilometres (240 mi) with Ethiopia, and 60 kilometres (37 mi) with Somalia (total 575 km or 357 mi).
- Extreme geographic points include: to the north, Ras Doumera and the point at which the border with Eritrea enters the Red Sea in the Obock Region; to the east, a section of the Red Sea coast north of Ras Bir; to the south, a location on the border with Ethiopia west of the town of As Ela; and to the west, a location on the frontier with Ethiopia immediately east of the Ethiopian town of Afambo.
Geography of Djibouti
Region:
- Dikhil Region
- Tadjourah Region
- Obock Region
- Ali Sabieh Region
- Arta Region
- Djibouti Region
Area:
Ranked 147th
Capital:
Djibouti
Population:
921,804
Bordering Countries:
It is bordered by Somaliland in the south, Ethiopia in the southwest, Eritrea in the north, and the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in the east. Across the Gulf of Aden is Yemen.
Total Size:
23,200 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
11°36′N 43°10′E
World Region or Continent:
Africa
Legislature:
National Assembly
Geographical Low Point:
Lac Assal
Geographical High Point:
Mousa Ali
Climate:
- Djibouti’s climate is significantly warmer and has significantly less seasonal variation than the world average. The mean daily maximum temperatures range from 32 to 41 °C (90 to 106 °F), except at high elevations.
- Djibouti’s climate ranges from arid in the northeastern coastal regions to semi-arid in the central, northern, western and southern parts of the country.
- On the eastern seaboard, annual rainfall is less than 5 inches (131 mm); in the central highlands, precipitation is about 8 to 16 inches (200 to 400 mm).
- The hinterland is significantly less humid than the coastal regions.
Major cities:
- Djibouti City
- Ali Sabieh
- Dikhil
- Tadjoura
- Arta
- Obock
Major Land forms:
- Djibouti has a sand and stone desert with a narrow coastal plain; a central, low mountain range formed as part of the Great Rift Valley; and a dry plain in the west. The coastal plain rises inland to less than 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level, except for the northern shoreline of the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major rivers
Djibouti has no rivers
Major Lakes:
- Lake Assal is one of the most saline bodies of water, after Don Juan Pond, and is the world’s largest salt reserve.
- Lake Abbe, can be observed on the map on the southwestern border of Djibouti with Ethiopia.
Natural Resources:
Djibouti’s key natural resources include salt, petroleum, gold, clay, marble, pumice, gypsum and diatomite.
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
- Djibouti has a sand and stone desert with a narrow coastal plain; a central, low mountain range formed as part of the Great Rift Valley; and a dry plain in the west.
- The coastal plain rises inland to less than 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level, except for the northern shoreline of the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Topography:
- The terrain is bare, dry, desolate, and marked by sharp cliffs, deep ravines, burning sands, and thorny shrubs.
Oceans:
Djibouti Ocean
Islands:
- Moucha Island
- Ile Warramous Island
- Siyyan Himar
- Abou Maya Island
- Maskali Island
- Guinni Kôma
- Ounda Dabali
Mountain Ranges:
- Gâgou,
- Musa Ālī Terara ,
- Mêgo Aroug, Tadjourah
- Agôgittou, Tadjourah
- Data San, Dikhil
- Ârréï , Ali Sabieh
- Sôfe,
- Sîḏa, Tadjourah
- Dakkari, Tadjourah
- Hémed , Arta
See Also:
World Map – The Ultimate Guide
References:
- Wikipedia – Geography of Djibouti
- britannica.com – Geography of Djibouti
- un.int – Geography of Djibouti
- globalsecurity.org – Geography of Djibouti
- countryreports.org – Geography of Djibouti
