a small country on the coast of northeast Africa, formerly ruled by France. Population: 460,700 (2001). Capital: Djibouti. officially Republic of Djibouti formerly (1885-1967) French Somaliland (1967-77) French Territory of the Afars and Issas Country, eastern Africa, on the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea. City (pop., 1995 est.: 383,000), major port, and capital of Djibouti. Located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Tadjoura in the Gulf of Aden, it was founded by the French in 1888 and made the capital of French Somaliland in 1892. Linked by rail to Addis Ababa in 1917, it was made a free port in 1949. The economic life of both the city and the nation depends on the city's function as a transshipment point, especially between Ethiopia and the Red Sea trade. Built on three level areas linked by jetties, the city has a mixture of ancient and modern architecture. Drought and war during the 1980s and early '90s brought many refugees to Djibouti from Somalia and Ethiopia, swelling its population
a country in northeastern Africa on the Somali peninsula; formerly under French control but became independent in 1997
a country in northeastern Africa on the Somali peninsula; formerly under French control but became independent in 1997 port city on the Gulf of Aden; the capital and largest city of Djibouti