Republic of Djibouti. State in northeastern Africa. Capital- Djibouti (547.1 thousand people - 2003). Territory- 23.2 thousand square meters. km. Administrative-territorial division- 5 districts. Population- 712 thousand people. (2004). Official language- French and Arabic. Religion- Islam, Christianity. Currency unit- Djiboutian franc. National holiday- June 27 - Independence Day (1977). Djibouti has been a member of the UN since 1977, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1977, and since 2002 its successor, the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the League Arab States(LAS) since 1977, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Common Market for Eastern and South Africa(COMESA) since 1994, and an associate member of the European Union.
Danilov P.P. Republic Djibouti. M., 1989
Encyclopedia of African Peoples. L., 2000
Alwan, Daoud A., and Mibrathu, Y. Histirical Dictionary of Djibouti. Lanham, MD, Scarecrow Press, 2001
The World of Learning 2003, 53rd Edition. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2002
Zhuravlev V.L. Djibouti. Directory. M., Publishing company "Eastern Literature", 2003
Africa South of the Sahara. 2004. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2003 http://www.pridetour.ru/guide/africa
Refugees in Africa. M., Institute for African Studies RAS, 2004
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It is 818 thousand people (estimated as of July 2009). About 2/3 of the country's population lives in the capital.
Characteristic
Annual increase - 1.9% (2009)
The main religion is Sunni Islam (94%); Christians make up 6% of the country's population.
Population dynamics
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1700 | 25 000 |
| 1750 | 25 000 |
| 1800 | 26 000 |
| 1850 | 27 000 |
| 1900 | 29 000 |
| 1910 | 30 000 |
| 1920 | 36 000 |
| 1930 | 43 000 |
| 1940 | 52 000 |
| 1950 | 62 000 |
| 1960 | 85 000 |
| 1970 | 162 000 |
| 1980 | 304 000 |
| 1990 | 440 000 |
| 2000 | 651 400 |
| 2010 | 894 000 |
| 2030 (forecast) | 1 411 000 |
Languages
The majority of the population speaks either Somali or Afar. French, inherited from colonial period, and Arabic, which has social, cultural and religious importance, are the official languages of Djibouti.
Largest cities
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Notes
Links
- on Ethnologue
- (all peoples, languages, etc.)
- www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dj.html
- www.populstat.info/
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An excerpt characterizing the population of Djibouti
– Nun ja, was soll denn da noch expliziert werden? [Well, yes, what else is there to interpret? (German)] - Pauluchi and Michaud attacked Wolzogen in French in two voices. Armfeld addressed Pfuel in German. Tol explained in Russian to Prince Volkonsky. Prince Andrew silently listened and watched.Of all these persons, the embittered, resolute and stupidly self-confident Pful was the most arousing interest in Prince Andrei. He, one of all the people present here, obviously did not want anything for himself, did not harbor enmity towards anyone, but wanted only one thing - to put into action the plan drawn up according to the theory that he had developed over the years of work. He was ridiculous, was unpleasant with his irony, but at the same time he inspired involuntary respect with his boundless devotion to the idea. In addition, in all the speeches of all the speakers, with the exception of Pfuel, there was one common feature that was not at the military council in 1805 - it was now, although hidden, but panic fear before the genius of Napoleon, the fear that was expressed in every objection. Everything was supposed to be possible for Napoleon, they were waiting for him from all sides, and with his terrible name they destroyed one another's assumptions. One Pful, it seemed, considered him, Napoleon, the same barbarian as all the opponents of his theory. But, in addition to a sense of respect, Pful inspired Prince Andrei with a sense of pity. From the tone with which the courtiers treated him, from what Pauluchi allowed himself to say to the emperor, but most importantly from the somewhat desperate expression of Pfuel himself, it was clear that others knew and he himself felt that his fall was near. And, despite his self-confidence and German grumpy irony, he was pitiful with his smoothed hair on the temples and tassels sticking out at the back of his head. Apparently, although he hid it under the guise of irritation and contempt, he was in despair because the only opportunity now to test it on vast experience and prove to the whole world the correctness of his theory eluded him.
[Republic of Djibouti; Jumhuriya Jibouti; French La République de Djibouti], state in the north-east. parts of Africa. It borders in the north with Eritrea, in the northwest, southwest and south with Ethiopia, in the southeast with Somalia, from the east. side has access to the Indian Ocean. Territory - 23.2 thousand square meters. km. The capital is the city of Djibouti (633.9 thousand people; 2005). Dr. big cities: Ali Sabih (40.7 thousand people), Tadjoura (22.5 thousand people), Obok (18.1 thousand people). D. is a member of the UN (since 1977), the Organization of African Unity (OAU; since 1977), since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab League. state-in (LAS; since 1977), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Common Market East. and Yuzh. Africa (COMESA; since 1994), as well as an associate member of the European Union. Official languages are Arabic and French. Geography. D. is located in the Horn of Africa and on the islands of Mascali, Musha, and the Seven Brothers (Sovabih); east the coast, which has a coastline 350 km long, is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Aden. indian ocean. The climate is tropical, hot and dry. The average monthly air temperature is 27-35°С. Mountain ranges alternate with lava plateaus, there are both extinct and active volcanoes. highest point- Mount Musa Ali (2021 m). There are no permanent rivers. Large lakes- Asal (salt) and Abbe (fresh water). The vegetation is desert and semi-desert, with the exception of relic forests on the Goda mountain range, where juniper, olive tree, boxwood, etc. grow, as well as valleys with palm plantations. Mangrove forests are preserved on the coast and islands.
Population
According to the official According to the government of D., the population of the country in 1998 was 680 thousand people. In the UN analytical report on the demographic processes in the world (U. N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division), data are given for 2005, according to the Crimea, the population of D. is 793 thousand people. Average density population - 29.9 people. per 1 sq. km. The average annual population growth is 2.06%. Birth rate - 39.98 per 1 thousand people, mortality - 19.39 per 1 thousand people. Child mortality - 104.13 per 1 thousand newborns. Children under 14 years old make up 43.3% of the population, residents from 15 to 64 years old - 53.5, and those who have reached the age of 65 - 3.2%. The average life expectancy is 43.1 years (men - 41.84, women - 44.39) (all data for 2005). The territory of D. is inhabited by many nationalities belonging mainly to the Kushite group of the Afroasian (Semitic-Hamitic) language family: OK. 88% of the population are sowing. Somali peoples, including 40% Issa (Abgal, Dalol, etc.), 48% Afars (Arabic Danakil). Arabs make up 7.5%, 4.5% of the population belong to non-indigenous nationalities, these are Europeans (mainly French and Italians, less often Greeks), Ethiopians, Indo-Pakists, etc. More than 100 thousand people. lead a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. Languages international communication- Arabic, Somali and Afar. The urban population is approx. 70% (2005), most live in the capital.
State structure
D. is a unitary presidential republic. According to the Constitution of D., adopted on 4 Sept. 1992, the President is the head of government and supreme commander Armed Forces. He is elected by universal secret ballot for a term of 6 years with the right to hold office for a maximum of 2 terms. Legislative functions are carried out by the unicameral National Assembly, consisting of 65 deputies, to-rye are elected by universal secret ballot for a 5-year term. executive power belongs to the Council of Ministers, accountable to the President. The country is divided into 5 districts, controlled by the so-called. commissioners - prefects, who are also mayors of district centers. Each county is subdivided into municipalities. Judicial system based on Muslims. and traditional (usual) modern. right. There is a Sharia Supreme Court, a Sharia Supreme Court of Appeal, also called the Security Tribunal, district criminal courts, and labor courts. The Ministry of Justice is taking measures to form a unified legal system.
Religion
The overwhelming majority of the residents of D. profess Islam; 94% of the population are Muslims, mostly Sunnis. Representatives of some nationalities remain committed to traditions. beliefs while practicing Islam. Christians make up 5% of the population, mainly representatives of the non-Chalcedonian Ethiopian Church (3.5%) and the Roman Catholic Church (1.4%), the number of professing others. Christ. denominations does not exceed 0.1%. OK. 0.8% of the population do not consider themselves adherents of k.-l. religion. A very small number profess Hinduism or new religions. movements such as Baha'i (see Baha'i religion).
Christianity
Christians live mainly in the capital. Orthodox parish subordinated to the Greek Orthodox Church The Patriarchate of Alexandria takes care of the Greeks living in the country.
Non-Chalcedonian confessions are represented by communities of the Ethiopian Church, the total number of adherents to which is approx. 20-25 thousand people, mostly ethnic Amharic Ethiopians.
The Roman Catholic Church has 6 parishes in Djibouti, which form the bishopric of Djibouti, 7 priests, 9 monks, 19 nuns. The total number of Catholics is approx. 8 thousand people, for the most part these are the French working in D..
Protestant. denominations are represented by the Protestant Church of Djibouti, separated in 1940 from the Reformed Church of France and numbering no more than 100 believers. In addition, in D. with ser. 70s there are 2 Ethiopians. Lutherans. communities uniting approx. 150 people, as well as the so-called. The Red Sea Mission Team, numbering approx. 100 people
Islam
Muslims belong mainly to the Sunnis of the Hanafi and Shafi'i persuasions - to the brotherhoods of Qadirya, Salihya, Rifaya. Shiites are few in number, mostly from India. There is a small number of representatives of the pseudo-Islamic Ahmadya sect. The total number of Muslims is from 660 to 700 thousand people.
Story
The territory of the Horn of Africa, on which the modern. D., was inhabited in antiquity. Trade routes connecting the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean crossed here. From the 4th century BC merchants from Egypt, Phoenicia, Greece, India, Persia and South. Arabia traded with the state of Punt, to which, presumably, from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BC, the territory of the present-day belonged. D. They sold ivory, gold, emeralds, spices, incense, and so on.
The composition of the population of the North-East. Africa (including the Horn of Africa) at the turn of the R. Kh. was formed under the influence of 2 migration factors: in the VIII-VII centuries. BC Sabaean, in con. IV - beg. 3rd century Hellenistic. The settlers brought with them a highly developed culture, which mixed with the culture of the local Kushite peoples. During several centuries, cities of colonists were founded, gradually embarking on the path of independent economic and cultural development. OK. 1st century according to R. Kh., the colonies developed into a significant independent state. education - the Aksumite kingdom, which reached its peak in the III-VI centuries. In the 4th century, during the reign of King Ezana, as a result of long-term contacts with the Byzants. merchants and travelers, the Aksumite nobility adopted Christianity. At this time, the borders of the state expanded to the limits of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. and hall. Tadjoura, i.e. the territory of modern D. turned out to be part of Aksum.
In the VI century. The Aksumite kingdom was defeated by Persia in the struggle for possession of the trade routes of the Red Sea. Dominance on the seas between Africa, Near. The Persians seized the East and India, and from the 7th century - the Muslim Arabs, who deprived the Aksumite kingdom of access to the sea. The territory of modern D. became part of the Islamic sultanates, first Shoa, then Yifat, created by the Arabs after the capture of Africa. coast of the Red Cape. An active spread of Islam began, which had a significant impact on culture and life local population. However, over the centuries feature religious life, especially among pastoral nomads, remained the coexistence of the traditions of Islam and local pagan beliefs. AT political life sultanates, the determining factor was the rivalry between sultans, secular rulers, on the one hand, and emirs, military leaders, who demanded a more aggressive foreign policy, on the other. The former tried to maintain peaceful relations with neighboring states based on trade, the latter focused on the further spread of Islam and the war against the neighboring Christ. Ethiopia. As it gets worse economic situation in the sultanates, the authority of the emirs grew, and the authority of the sultans fell, which led to the popularity of the ideas of jihad. Military operations against Ethiopia significantly weakened the economic power of the Yifat sultanate and the Adal sultanate that replaced it, which lost power over the coast of the Red Sea at its confluence with the Aden Hall. Portugal and the Ottoman Empire began to claim ownership of the territory. In this struggle, Portugal won, and its efforts aimed at rapprochement with Ethiopia led to the creation of the Portuguese on the banks of the Red Cape. possessions (Massawa and others). From Ser. XVI to ser. 17th century this territory provided a permanent exit to the Red Line and unhindered contact with the Portuguese. metropolises with colonies in the North-East. Africa. From Portugal, Catholics were sent deep into Ethiopia. mission of the Jesuits, the purpose of which was to convert the ruling circles of the country to the Catholic. faith and the creation of the Ethiopian Uniate. Patriarchy, subordinate directly to the Vatican. Actually, on the coast of the Red Sea, including the territory of the modern. D., missionary activity did not spread. All R. 17th century Islamic sultanates were re-established in the region.
Since the 19th century, with the start of construction of the Suez Canal, the Horn of Africa has become an arena of European rivalry. countries, the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. In 1839, the British tried to establish control over the shores of the Gulf of Aden, capturing the port of Aden in the south of Yemen. In 1840, they succeeded in extending their power to Africa. coast, concluding a protectorate agreement with the Sultan of Tadjoura and receiving possession for 10 bags of rice from the island of Mush in the hall. Tadjoura. However, the possession of this territory continued to claim and Islamic countries, in 1866 the Ottoman Empire renounced its rights in favor of Egypt, which was trying to actively compete with Great Britain. France also entered the fight against the latter, to-heaven from the con. 50s made attempts to gain a foothold on the coast of Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Franz. diplomats began to negotiate with the leaders of the coastal sultanates about possible forms land acquisitions. On May 11, 1862, in Paris, the delegation of the Afar Sultanate of Adal was received with honor in the salons of Napoleon III. According to an agreement signed by the French by the government and leaders of the Afars, the coastal territory of the desert and the harbor of Obock passed into the possession of France for 10 thousand thalers. Nov 17 In 1869, the Suez Canal was opened, which became an incentive for the development of the economy and trade on the Red m. In 1875, Egypt captured the north. the Sultanate of Tadjoura in order to make it a springboard for the conquest of the East. Ethiopia. Great Britain by an act of 1877 recognized the dominance of Egypt over Tadzhura, and France, which waged a war in Europe, was not able to resist the expansionist policy of Ismail Pasha. Despite the fact that the rights to conduct trading operations were granted to French merchants by the Ministry of Colonies of France, in 1873 the Naval Ministry made a statement that, in view of the insecurity of this territory, it proposes to transfer it to Egypt. With the outbreak of hostilities in Indochina in 1883-1885. and the first trading operations in Madagascar fr. the administration decided to set up a coal depot at Obock to supply ships without being served by the British at Aden. Seeing the economic prospects of this initiative, Leons Lagarde, who was appointed government commissioner in 1883, proposed to establish a French. protectorate over all territories not yet subject to the sultanates, on the banks of the hall. Tadjoura. He also owned the initiative to invite Catholics. priests: the first Catholics arrived in Obock from the vicariate of Arabia. missionaries from the Order of the Capuchin Friars Minor. France started active policy expanding its colony, adding to it in 1882 the port of Sagallo, in 1884 the sultanates of Raheit and Tajur, the coast between Cape Ali and the hall. Gubbet-Kharab, in 1885 the Sultanate of Gobad, and in 1887 the island of Musha. Lagarde established friendly relations with the Ethiopian. Negus of the province of Shoa Sahle Maryam (from 1889, Emperor Menelik II) and, on his advice, began to implement economic projects that were mutually beneficial for both France and Ethiopia. He decided to transfer control from Obock, which was not very favorable for navigation, to the southern coast of the hall. Tadjoura, to the settlement of Djibouti, with future plans the transformation of this place into the "trading gates" of the Red metropolitan area.
In 1888, the port of Djibouti was inaugurated, which significantly strengthened France in its competition with the UK, Italy and Egypt. Feb. the same year, an agreement was signed between France and Great Britain, to-ry fixed the south. borders new French. colonies in the Horn of Africa. Her adm. the center in 1892 was the port of Djibouti, on May 20, 1896, this territory became known as the French Coast of Somalia. Sev. the state's borders were fixed by bilateral agreements of Jan. 1900 and July 1901 between France and Italy, which seized Ethiopia's entire Red Sea coast. After the formation of the Italian the colony of Eritrea, the importance of the port of Djibouti increased, because Ethiopia had no other way out to trade routes in the Red Cape. A rapid economic rise of the new state began, it was based on the development of salt mines, pearl mining and trade through the port of Djibouti, economic importance which grew every year. The presence of French citizens involved in the life of the colony led to the need to create a church adm. units; 28 Apr. In 1914, the Apostolic Prefecture of Djibouti was separated from the Apostolic Nunciature of Gall, headed by Capuchin Priest Pasquale da Luchon.
The most important event in the economy of the French Coast of Somalia and Ethiopia was the official. opening on June 7, 1917 of a railway line under construction for 20 years between the port of Djibouti and Addis Ababa. Complication political environment before the Second World War, forced France to take up the strengthening of possessions at such a strategically important point as the exit from the Red Metro to the Hall of Aden. Indian Ocean. After the capture in 1936 of Ethiopia Fascist Italy and its further claims to the French Coast of Somalia, a hasty transfer of significant naval forces of France began to a military base created in D. back in 1926. In 1940-1942. the colony was ruled by the pro-fascist Vichy government. From con. In 1942 it was under the control of the anti-fascist forces of the Fighting France movement, since 1944 - the government of the French Republic.
In 1946, the state of the French Coast of Somalia received new status and became an overseas territory as part of French Union. This was reflected in the church adm. life of the colony: 14 Sept. In 1955, the Apostolic Prefecture of Djibouti became an independent diocese and received the status of the bishopric of Djibouti, directly subordinate to the Vatican. It was headed by Henri Bernardin Hofmann, head of the prefecture since 1945. In the 50s. 20th century An anti-colonial movement grew in Dagestan, and the Democratic Union of Somalia (DSU) political party was created, with the aim of achieving independence from France. In 1958, France allowed a referendum on granting the country the status of an overseas territorial member of the French Community, successor to the French Union. The DSS refused to recognize its results, despite the fact that the referendum significantly expanded the rights of the country in such representative bodies as the French. parliament and assembly of the French Community. DSS was banned, exiled trade union and party leaders continued political activity Abroad. The anti-colonial movement outside the country was expressed in the struggle, on the one hand, for unification with Somalia, on the other, for orientation towards Ethiopia. The arrival in 1966 in the country of Charles de Gaulle intensified the performances political forces who demanded independence. Parties formed in the 1960s on an ethnic basis ("Party popular movement"(PND)," Democratic Union of Afars "(DSA), etc.), formed in 1966 the Coordination Committee, which managed to achieve a referendum on the status of the colony, which took place in March 1967. Its result showed that only 40% of the population support the idea of complete independence. Nevertheless, since 1967 the country began to be called the French Territory of Afarov and Issa (FTAI), it was granted the rights of extended autonomy. The initiator of the struggle for complete independence was the African People's League for Independence (ANLN, until 1975, the African People's League), which was created in 1972. At this time, a Protestant preached in the country. missionaries who arrived from Ethiopia, as well as representatives of the so-called. The mission team of the Red Sea, organized in the United States to work among the Islamic population of the North-East. Africa.
On May 8, 1977, a referendum was held on the issue of granting the country full independence, in which 98.7% of the population gave a positive answer. The independent state of the Republic of Djibouti was proclaimed on June 27, 1977, and Hassan Gouled Aptidon, chairman of the LPAI, became its president. The biggest problem that D. faced was the need to resolve ethnic contradictions between the Issa and the Afars, because of which government crises constantly occurred during the first years of independence. On March 4, 1979, the LPAI was transformed into the People's Rally for Progress (PRP), headed by Gouled Aptidon. In the elections of June 12, 1981, he was re-elected for a new presidential term, after which a one-party system was introduced in the country. Next elections held on 24 Apr. 1987, there were no alternatives, 99.23% of voters voted for Gouled Aptidon, however, tensions remained in the country between the Afars and the Issas. The most significant force that opposed the government in the 1st half. 90s, became the Afar military group "Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy" (FVED). In 1992, under pressure from international organizations, the government had to return to a multi-party system. In the presidential elections on May 7, 1993, Gouled Aptidon again won, which caused the continuation of armed resistance to the authorities from the opposition, primarily the FVED. The government had to start negotiations with the FVED, which ended in 1996 with the recognition of this organization as a legal party. The moderate wing of the FVED formed a coalition with the ruling NOP in the parliamentary elections of 1997, while the radical part of the party continued armed resistance to the authorities until the signing of a peace agreement in May 2001. 9 Apr. In 1999, the next presidential elections were held, in which, having received 74.4% of the vote, Ismail Omar Gulle, a candidate from the NOP-FVED coalition, was elected president. Jan 10 In 2003, regular parliamentary elections were held, which, in the conditions of a boycott by certain opposition parties (DSA, FVED, etc.), ended in victory for the ruling NOP. Implementation started with IMF financial assistance economic reforms, designed for a period up to 2010, the purpose of which is to improve the standard of living, fight unemployment, solve food problem. The main economic partners of D. are France, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In the last presidential election on 8 April. In 2005, Omar Gulle won again.
Religious Law.
According to the Constitution of 4 Sept. 1992, the Republic of Djibouti - a secular democratic state, in which the relationship between religion and the state is regulated legislative norms common law. Art. 1 § 1 guarantees the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of their faith and religion. beliefs, guarantees the free exercise of religion. rituals. Art. 1 § 6 states that the activities of parties and org-tions should not reflect the interests of c.-l. religion. Art. 2 § 11 of the Constitution of D., fixing the religion. individual rights, guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the right to public expression and propaganda of religions. views.
Lit.: Trimingham J . S. The Christian Church and Missions in Ethiopia (incl. Eritrea and the Somalilands). L., 1950; Pointot J.-P. Djibouti et la Côte française des Somalis. P., 1964; Thompson V ., Adloff R . Djibouti and the Horn of Africa. Stanford (Calif.), 1968; Brunschwig H. Une colonie inutile: Obock (1862-1888) // Cah. d "études africaines. P., 1968. N 29. P. 32-47; Khazanov A. M. The expansion of Portugal in Africa and the struggle of African peoples for independence in the 16th-18th centuries. M., 1976; he is. The struggle between Portugal and Ottoman Empire beyond the Indian Ocean: XVI century. // New and recent history. 2003. No. 6. S. 59-77; Leymarie Ph. La republique de Djibouti entre l "Afrique noire et le monde arabe // Revue française d" études politiques africaines. Dakar, 1977. No. 143. P. 58-72; Kobishchanov Yu. M . Northeast Africa in the Early Middle Ages. the world. M., 1980; he is. Aksum // Africa: Encycl. M., 1986. T. 1. S. 226; Tholomier R. La Republique de Djibouti // Le Mois en Afrique. P., 1980/81. N 180/181. P. 30-42; idem. Quelques aspects ethnologiques et ethnographiques en Republique de Djibouti // Ibid. 1982. N 200. P. 177-186; Oberlé Ph ., Hugot P . Histoire de Djibouti: des origines à la Republique. P., 1985; Djibouti // Africa: Encyclopedia. 1986. T. 1. S. 471-474; Schrader P . J. Djibouti. Oxf.; Santa Barbara (Calif.), 1990; In the Shadow of Conquest: Islam in Colonial North-East Africa / Ed. Said S. Samatar. Trenton (N. J.), 1992; Coubba A. Djibouti: Une nation en otage. P., 1993; Isichei E . A History of Christianity in Africa: From Antiquity to the Present. Grand Rapids (Mich.); Lawrenceville (N. J.), 1995. P. 50-58; Hastings A. The Church in Africa: 1450-1950. Oxf., 1996. P. 131-150; Lewis I. M. Peoples of the Horn of Africa: Somali, Afar and Saho. L., 19984; Zhuravlev V . L . Djibouti: Ref. M., 2003.
E. Nebolsin
The official name is the Republic of Djibouti (Ripublique de Djibouti).
Located in North East Africa, in the Horn of Africa. The area is 23.2 thousand km2, the population is 820.6 thousand people. (2003 estimate). official languages: French and Arabic. The capital is Djibouti (547.1 thousand people, 2003). Public holiday - Independence Day June 27 (since 1977). The monetary unit is the Djiboutian franc (equal to 100 centimes).
Member of the UN (since 1977), OAU (since 1972), AU (since 1972), Arab League (since 1977), AfDB, ICAO, OIC, IMF, IBRD, FAO, CGT, WHO, etc.
Attractions Djibouti
Geography of Djibouti
Located between 43° east longitude and 11°30′ northern latitude, washed by the waters of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden of the Indian Ocean, coastline slightly indented, the only bay is Tadjoura. It borders in the north with Eritrea, in the north, west and south - with Ethiopia, in the southeast - with Somalia. The terrain is mountainous, it is an alternation of mountain ranges with low lava plateaus. The highest point is Mount Musa Ali (2028 m). Most big lake- Assal, 155 m below sea level, salty. All rivers are dry. The climate is tropical, dry. Permanent vegetation cover (forests) - on basalt mountain spurs north of the Gulf of Tadjoura. Vegetation is diverse on a strip up to 5-6 km wide along the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Tadzhur and Aden Gulfs. Here and in the oases there are large mammals, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, and monkeys in the forests. Lots of butterflies, insects and reptiles. Coastal waters are rich in commercial fish. The bowels are practically not explored. There is plaster large stocks clay, high quality limestone and sea salt, there is large deposit perlite, pumice deposits. There is a fairly high probability of the presence of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc.
Population of Djibouti
Population growth - 2.59%. Population density - 27 people. per 1 km2. Birth rate 40.33%, mortality 14.43%, infant mortality 99.7 people. per 1000 newborns. Life expectancy - 51.6 years, incl. men - 49.73, women - 53.51 (2002). Economically active population - 282 thousand people. (2000). The share of the urban population is 60-70%, with slightly more than half of the country's population living in the capital. Among the population older than 15 years, 46.2% are literate (1995). The republic is inhabited by two main peoples - the Issa and the Afars. Issa - one of the largest Somali tribes, they speak Issa, a dialect of the Somali language. Afars speak the Afar language. Ethnic composition(in%): Issa - 45, other Somali tribes (Isak, Gadabursi) - 15, Afars - 35, Europeans, Arabs, Ethiopians, etc. - 5%. Afars, Issa and other indigenous people are Sunni Muslims.
History of Djibouti
From the 7th c. With the penetration of Islam into the territory of Djibouti, Arab sultanates arise. In the 16th century as a result of the rivalry between the Turks and the Portuguese, the Portuguese seized power over the territory. From the 17th century power again passed to the Muslim sultanates. From Ser. In the 19th century, especially with the beginning of the construction of the Suez Canal (1856), European powers seized territories along the coast of the Horn of Africa in the struggle for control over the entrance to the Red Sea. France undertook the seizure of the current territory of Djibouti from 1862, and in 1896 its possessions were called the French Coast of Somalia. For a long time, the colonial authorities gave preference to the Afars, with whose sultans they concluded agreements when expanding their possessions, which caused conflicts between the nomadic tribes not only because of the nomadic territories, but also on ethnic grounds. In 1946, the colony received the status of an overseas territory of France. World War II contributed to the development of the national liberation movement. In 1967, the colony received extended autonomy and the name French territory Afarov and Issa (FTAI). Since 1972, the League became the leader of the struggle for independence. African people for Independence (LPAI), the majority of which were Issa. As a result of the referendum on June 27, 1977, the country became independent. LPAI leader Hassan Gulid Aptidon became President of the Republic of Djibouti. Since 1981, a one-party system has been introduced.
In the beginning. 1990s tensions between the Afars and the Issas culminated in armed clashes. In 1991, the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FVED) was created, bringing together three Afar organizations. In 1991-94, the Front waged an armed struggle against the government. The 1992 constitution allowed a maximum of four political parties. In March 1994, the FVED split into two factions. One of them went to cooperate with the government party NOP (People's Association for Progress). The opposition faction advocated the continuation of armed resistance. In February 1999, Gulid announced his retirement from politics. In April 1999, Ismail Omar Guelleh, the only candidate from the NLP, won the presidential election. In May 2001, the government signed a peace treaty with the rebels of the anti-government FVED faction, who resumed hostilities against the Gulid regime back in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held on January 10, 2003. The NOP received 62.2% of the vote, the FVED - 36.9%. In parliament, the NOP won all 65 seats and became the ruling party.
State structure and political system of Djibouti
Djibouti is a unitary presidential republic. New Constitution valid since September 15, 1992. The country is divided into 5 districts (2003, people): the capital proper, Ali Sabieh (13,300), Tadjoura (13,300), Dik-Kil (10,800), Obock (8300).
The highest legislative body is the National Assembly, which consists of 65 deputies elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years. The right to vote - from the age of 18, the right to be elected - from the age of 23. The head of state is President Ismail Omar Guelleh (since May 8, 1999). The President of the country is elected by popular vote for a period of 5 years, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, appoints the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Prime Minister - Dileita Mohamed Dielita (since March 4, 2001).
The judiciary is represented by the Supreme Court, established in 1979. There is also a Supreme Court of Appeal and a court of first instance. The districts have a criminal court, customary law and Islamic law courts.
Main parties: NOP, established in 1979 on the basis of the LPAI, in 1981-92 - the only legal party, leader - Ismail Omar Guelleh; National Democratic Party (NDP), legalized in 1992, leader - Roble Avale Aden, in June 1996 the NDP formed a common front with dissidents from the NOP, led by Mumin Bakhdon Farah; FVED, founded in 1991, in March 1994 the Front split into two factions, one of them cooperates with the NOP, in 1996 received legal status, the chairman is Ali Muhamed Daoud, the leader of the opposition faction is Ahmed Dini Ahmed; Democratic Renewal Party (PDO), legalized in 1992, oppositional, small in number, divided due to internal contradictions, chairman - Gelle Abdillahi Hamareiteh; The Group for Democracy and the Republic (NOP-GDR) was formed in May 1996 by an opposition group that left the NOP.
Public organizations - the General Union of Labor (GLO), established in 1979, until 1992 it was called the General Union of Workers of Djibouti, is part of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity, chairman - Azmed Jama Egueh.
In the beginning. 21st century Djibouti is developing in an environment of relative political instability and the need for structural economic reforms. After the essentially authoritarian rule of President Gulid, the country moved to a multi-party system. Long-existing contradictions between the two main ethnic groups led to an open armed confrontation. However, the contradictions that have taken place and are taking place between them are not as antagonistic as the contradictions between military-political groups, as conflicts at the level of the political elite of society.
In foreign policy Djibouti adheres to the principles of non-alignment, supports peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region, and a peaceful settlement of the situation in Somalia. It was Djibouti who played important role in the establishment of the Intergovernmental Council for Drought Management and Development. Relations with Ethiopia are developing steadily, especially after the Ethiopian-Eritrean border conflict, as a result of which all shipping Ethiopia is carried out through the port of Djibouti. The same conflict led to the rupture of diplomatic relations with Eritrea, which were restored in 2000. In 2002, Germany and Djibouti signed an agreement on the deployment of German troops in Djibouti to fight international terrorism. Since 1977, an agreement with France on friendship and cooperation has been in force. France is responsible for the military defense of the country. Its military base is the largest in Africa.
The national army of Djibouti was created in 1977. The law on universal conscription was adopted in 1979. According to the Constitution of 1992, universal military duty for men aged 18 to 25 years. Total population armed forces 9600 people, in addition, 1200 people. serve in the gendarmerie detachments and 3000 people. - in national forces security.
Djibouti has diplomatic relations from the Russian Federation (installed from the USSR in 1978).
Economy of Djibouti
The backbone of the country's economy is trade through the international port of Djibouti and the service sector associated with it. Sea port It has international importance, being the most important in the western Indian Ocean. special role play the railway connecting the city of Djibouti with Addis Ababa, and a modern airport capable of receiving heavy jet liners. Great importance has a financial sector, which is determined primarily by the free convertibility of the Djiboutian franc. Servicing the French military garrison and other foreigners living in the country also provides a significant income. GDP 586 million USD. GDP per capita - 1400 dollars, inflation 2%, unemployment 50% (2001). Sectoral structure of the economy in terms of contribution to GDP: agriculture 3%, industry 10%, services 87%.
Djibouti has very little cultivated land, the country meets only 3% of its food needs. The population engaged in breeding goats, sheep and camels leads a nomadic lifestyle. Developed fishing, pearling, coral, sponges. AT agriculture, including hunting, forestry and fishing, employs 75% of the working population.
Industrial production is poorly developed, represented by small enterprises for the production food products, leather products, building materials, as well as mechanical and sewing workshops. Evaporation of salt from sea water has been developed. The public sector owns power plants, an oil company, transport (partially), communications, several processing plants, for example, for the production of mineral water in Tadjoura. The conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1998-99 increased the load on the Addis Ababa - Djibouti railway line, which served as an incentive to upgrade the wagon and locomotive fleet. The increased use of the port of Djibouti by Ethiopia marked the beginning of a program to expand the port from 2000.
The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, founded in 1909, jointly owned by the two countries, is 781 km long, of which 106 km runs through Djibouti. There are only 2890 km of roads, of which 364 are paved (1996). There are 12 airports, 3 of which have a runway with a special coating, and one international airport in the capital.
Phones - 10,000, mobile phones- 5000 (2002), radio receivers - 52,000 (1997), TV sets - 28,000 (1997), Internet users - 3300 (2002).
Djibouti is heavily dependent on foreign aid, which is readily available due to its special strategic position. The main donors are the UAE, France and Saudi Arabia.
Foreign trade (million US dollars, 1999): export 260; import 440. Main export commodities: animal skins, coffee. Re-export developed. Export partners: Somalia (53%), Yemen (23%), Ethiopia (5%) (1998). Major imports: food, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products. Import partners: France (13%), Ethiopia (12%), Italy (9%), Saudi Arabia (6%), United Kingdom (6%) (1998).
External debt US$366 million (2002 est.). Foreign exchange reserves 69.10 million US dollars (1999).
The political instability of recent years and economic difficulties worsened the socio-economic situation of the population. Massive influx of refugees from neighboring countries increases the unemployment rate. Djibouti's failure to reform its fiscal policy led to an additional fiscal law being passed in 1998 to meet IMF demands for a reduction budget deficit by $9 million. The law provided for a reduction in wages for public sector workers, measures to improve tax collection, an increase in the tax on gasoline and khat (a plant with a mild narcotic effect).
The 1999 state budget was (US$ million): revenues 135, expenditures 182. In October 1999, Djibouti agreed to accept an IMF loan of US$26.5 million to support the government's three-year economic reform program (1999-2002). Achieving a balance was the main condition for the reforms: these included tax reform, revision of the administration's revenues and budget allocation; completion of the army demobilization program by the end. 2000; state reform civil service, incl. wage cuts; publication of the privatization program for 6 major state-owned enterprises. A reduction in payroll deductions and a significant increase in tax collection made it possible to increase the total amount of the 2002 budget by 3.9% compared to the 2001 budget.
Tourism is developed in Djibouti. Deserted sections of the sea coast, rich undersea world The coral reefs of the Red Sea make snorkeling and diving in these places an attractive activity. Tourists are interested in: Djibouti Tropical Aquarium, marinas, one of the best in the world, ideally flat desert plains - Petit Vara and Grand Bar, which serve as a "stadium" for windsurfing on wheels. AT national parks Dai, Mascali Moucha, Lac Abbe, you can see nature, unique even by African standards. The number of tourists in 1998 - 20 thousand people.
Science and culture of Djibouti
In 1996 primary and secondary school education 26% of all children of school age were covered (31% of boys and 22% of girls), only primary education - 35% (36% of boys and 27% of girls). According to official data, in 1999/2000 academic year School education in the country covered approx. 1/2 children of school age. The country has 70 primary schools (including three technical ones), three lyceums. There are several dozen Koranic schools where Arabic is studied. Since there are no higher education institutions in Djibouti, those wishing to continue their education go abroad, mainly to France. The Higher Institute of Scientific and Technical Research (VINTI) was founded in 1979 to study nature, natural resources, archeology and the traditional culture of the peoples of the country. Journal "Punt", published by the section of social and human sciences VINTI in cooperation with the Society for the Study East Africa, covers issues of history, culture, literature and art, and also publishes articles about the traditions, customs, legends and legends of the Afar and Somali tribes. Under the auspices of the Palace of the People, built in 1985, the Committee for the Development of Culture and Art of Ethnic Groups operates, which studies and promotes oral creative heritage Afarov and Issa. Oral works are popular among Djiboutians folk art, legends, myths, fairy tales and traditions passed down from generation to generation, often in poetic form, as well as traditional folk music with wide application tomtamov. There are 5 cinemas and the theater "Salin" in the capital.
