Facts about Djibouti

Area: 8,880 square miles

History: Ablé immigrants from Arabia migrated to what is now Djibouti in about the 3rd century B.C. Their descendants are the Afars. Islam came to the region in 825. Djibouti was acquired by France between 1843 and 1886 through treaties with the Somali sultans.

Government: Republic

Economy: Djibouti experienced a civil war in 1991-1994. The civil war left devastating effects on the economy. Economy has revived and is growing by 3 percent each year since 2003.

Population: 872,932 people

Currency: Djiboutian Franc

Religion: Islam

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