Djibouti Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Djibouti?

Overview

The Republic of Djibouti is situated in the Horn of Africa on Africa’s east coast. Djibouti covers 8,400 square miles (21,883 square kilometers). The country is shaped like a "C" surrounding the Gulf of Tadjoura, an inlet off the Gulf of Aden. Along with Eritrea and Yemen, Djibouti shares direct access to the strategic Bab el Mandeb, the "Gate of Tears," which controls southern access to the Red Sea.

Djibouti’s capital, also called Djibouti, is a verdant oasis in an area of dry watersheds composed of harsh, stony desert and low, barren hills. The capital is at sea level and mostly surrounded by water, affording sea views from much of the city. In addition to Djibouti City, Djibouti has four provincial capitals: Ali Sabieh and Dikhil in the interior to the south and west, and Tadjoura and Obock on the north coast of the Gulf of Tadjoura.

The landscape beyond the capital, though largely barren, is quite strange and impressive. Beyond the Gulf of Tadjoura via a narrow strait is the Ghoubet, a deep body of blue water with two striking volcanic islands. The coastline north of the Gulf of Tadjoura juxtaposes palm-lined beaches with jagged hills. In the north a large high desert region rises to Mount Moussa Ali, the highest point in Djibouti (3,600 feet). Also to the north is the Forêt du Dai, a national park on Mount Goda. In this last vestige of a forest that once covered the area are several rare plants and animals, including monkeys and antelope. Lake Assal, a unique natural phenomenon over 500 feet below sea level, is 80 miles west of Djibouti City. A lake ten times saltier than the ocean, Lake Assal is an ethereal blue and surrounded by picturesque volcanic hills. It is the lowest body of water in Africa and the second lowest on Earth. Farther into the countryside to the southwest lies Lake Abbe, a large salt lake bisected by the Djibouti-Ethiopia border.

Djibouti’s location astride the East Africa, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden rift systems provides a unique environment for studying volcanic, geothermal, and earthquake activity arising from the meeting of three tectonic plates. Over 600 tremors occur every year, virtually none of which are felt.

Geography - note

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world

Djibouti Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location	Africa
Total Area	8,958 Square Miles 23,200 Square Kilometers
Land Area	8,950 Square Miles 23,180 Square Kilometers
Water Area	8 Square Miles 20 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	321 Miles 516 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	4 Square Miles 10 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline	195 Miles 314 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	11 30 N, 43 00 E
Terrain	coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Highest Point	2,028 Meters
Highest Point Location	Moussa Ali 2,028 m
Lowest Point	-155 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Lac Assal -155 m
Natural Resources	geothermal areas
Time Zone	UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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