Current Local Time
Time Zone
East Africa Time (EAT)
UTC/GMT +3 hours (No daylight saving)
Current Weather in Djibouti City
32°C
Sunny
Feels like: 36°C
Wind: 10 km/h NE
Humidity: 60%
Visibility: 12 km
Tomorrow
31°C / 28°C
Partly Cloudy
Day After
33°C / 29°C
Windy
Sunrise
5:30 AM
Sunset
6:20 PM
Pressure
1010 hPa
UV Index
11 (Extreme)
Country Information
Official Name
Republic of Djibouti
Population
1.1 million (2023 est.)
Area
23,200 km²
Capital
Djibouti City
Government
Presidential republic
Independence
June 27, 1977 (from France)
Currency
Djiboutian Franc (DJF)
Official Languages
French, Arabic
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit
Nov-Mar (Cooler months)
Jun-Sep (Hottest months)
Visa Requirements
Visa on arrival for most nationalities
Climate
Desert climate, extremely hot and dry
Safety
Generally safe but check travel advisories
Emergency Number
17 (Police), 18 (Ambulance)
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3, no DST)
Internet TLD
.dj
Calling Code
+253
Iconic Sites & Attractions
Lake Assal
Salt lake, lowest point in Africa at 155m below sea level.
155m below sea level
Lac Abbé
Surreal limestone chimneys and hot springs.
Near Ethiopia border
Gulf of Tadjoura
Stunning coastline with whale sharks.
Whale shark season Oct-Feb
Day Forest National Park
Only forested area in Djibouti.
Northern Djibouti
Djibouti City
Cosmopolitan capital with French colonial architecture.
Capital city
Moucha Island
Pristine coral island in the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Gulf of Tadjoura
Historical Timeline
3rd century BCE
Part of the Land of Punt
9th century
Islam introduced to region
1862
France acquires Obock
1888
French Somaliland established
1946
Becomes French overseas territory
1967
Renamed French Territory of Afars and Issas
1977
Independence as Republic of Djibouti
1991-1994
Civil war between Afars and Issas
2001
Peace agreement signed
2010s
Strategic importance grows with military bases
Cultural Highlights
Ethnic Composition
Somali (Issa) - 60%
Afar - 35%
Arab - 3%
European - 2%
Daily Life in Djibouti
Predominantly Muslim society
French and Arab culinary influences
Traditional Afar and Somali music
Strong coffee culture
Languages of Djibouti
French
Official language
Arabic
Official language
Somali
Most widely spoken
Afar
Djibouti on the Map
Coordinates
11.5000° N, 42.5000° E
Neighboring Countries
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia
Coastline
314 km (Red Sea and Gulf of Aden)
Visitor Tips & Advice
When to Visit
- Nov-Mar: Coolest months (still hot)
- Jun-Sep: Extremely hot (40°C+)
- Oct-Feb: Best for whale shark diving
Getting Around
- Taxis: Shared taxis common in cities
- Car rental: Available but expensive
- Boats: Ferries to islands
- Domestic flights: Limited options
Cultural Etiquette
- Dress modestly, especially women
- Remove shoes before entering homes
- Use right hand for eating/giving
- Respect Islamic customs and prayer times
Safety & Security
- Generally safe but remain vigilant
- Avoid border areas with Eritrea
- Drink bottled water only
- Protect against extreme sun exposure
Fascinating Facts About Djibouti
Hottest Country
One of the hottest countries on Earth year-round.
Salty Waters
Lake Assal is 10x saltier than the ocean.
Military Bases
Hosts French, US, Chinese, and Japanese bases.
Railway to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway connects to sea.