Djibouti

Discover Djibouti

For centuries, the region now known as Djibouti has been a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange. It was inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Afar and Issa Somali tribes, who had traversed the arid landscapes of the Horn of Africa.

The port town of Tadjoura on the Gulf of Tadjoura had long been a stop for traders, connecting the Red Sea to the African interior, when French explorers arrived in the late 19th century.

France established a presence in the area and, in 1896, formally declared it a French colony known as French Somaliland. The strategic location of Djibouti's ports played a crucial role in linking France to its colonies in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Following decolonization in the mid-20th century, Djibouti gained independence in 1977. Its location at the entrance to the Red Sea, flanked by Eritrea and Somalia, continues to make it a geopolitical hotspot.

Today, Djibouti remains a melting pot of cultures and a key player in global trade, hosting foreign military bases and facilitating maritime commerce.

Source ChatGPT