Colors and the Meaning of the Djibouti Flag
The flag of Djibouti was adopted on 27 June 1977, when the country gained its independence from France with its current state.
The flag consists of two strips that divide the flag into two equal parts. This is the isosceles triangle, which is formed on the sides of the two horizontal strips and extends to more than half of the flag. The red-colored five-pointed star is positioned in the triangle with one end facing the top.
The blue color that forms the horizontal strip in the upper part of the flag represents the sky and the sea, as well as the Afar people and the world. The white triangle symbolizes peace, while the red five-pointed star represents the unity of the five regions of the country.
History of the Djibouti Flag
The history of the flag in the Djibouti lands dates back to the 15th century. Adal Sultanate was on this land in the 1400s. Adal Sultanate is a Muslim Emirate, which has played an important role in the wars between today’s Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia, and the wars between Muslims and Ethiopian Christians. In history, it was mentioned for the first time in this state by the Ethiopian king in 1332, during his battles with Muslims.
In the later ages, the relations between the Abyssinian emperors and the rulers of Adal continued, sometimes unfriendly, sometimes friendly. The Adal emirate lost its importance and disappeared since the 16th century. Adal used the same flag as long as Sultane would continue its existence in this land. The flag was made up of three vertical stripes, white-red and white, and there were three crescent on the flag. Red Crescent on white ribbons, and white crescent on the red ribbon.
Ottoman Period
Djibouti entered Ottoman sovereignty in the 16th century and was included in the borders of Habesh State, a province of the Ottoman Empire. The state covered the Massawa, Hergigo, Sevakin and their inner regions in Africa (regions of today’s Eritrea). Then Zeila and western Somaliland participated in the province.
The present state of Eritrea and Djibouti included the northern parts of Somalia and Ethiopia. Habest Province, which included Djibouti during the Ottoman Sovereignty, used a flag with a yellow crescent on the red ground. The region, which was in the Ottoman Empire for 330 years, ceased to be Ottoman lands in 1885.
French Somaliland
French Somali was a French colony in the Horn of Africa. It continued to exist between 1883 and 1977. Djibouti came under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire and was dominated by France. Between these dates, the French Flag fluctuated in the region.
Current Flag of Djibouti
The Djibouti flag was first designed in 1970.
The national flag of Djibouti was adopted in independence in 1977, but it is unclear what the colors and stars are designed for. One thought was that the red star was the opposite of the white star in the red background of the LPAI flag, as it was the Ligue populaire africaine pour l’indépendance (LPAI), which led the country to independence. In addition, white, green and light blue colors were used in the original LPAI flag. On the other hand, there is another view of the peace of white, the sky and the sea of blue, the green representing the world.
Neighboring Countries of Djibouti
Located in East Africa. It is surrounded by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and the south, and Somalia in the southeast. There is a coast to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Main Characteristics of Djibouti
Djibouti, with its beaches stretching along the coast, leaving beautiful frames in memory, is one of the countries with the same name as its capital. Most of the population lives in the capital, Djibouti. At the top of the must-see is the Assal Lake, which is 150 meters below sea level with its enchanting view. Somali and Afar are also used in official languages except Arabic and French. The currency is Djibouti franc.
The average annual temperature is around 32 degrees. Djibouti has a warm climate. Goats, sheep and camels in the country are consumed a lot. Red Sea fish have an important place in Djibouti cuisine. For those looking for different tastes, there are restaurants with international cuisine.
| Country | Djibouti |
| Code | DJ (DJI) |
| Calling Code | 253 |
| Capital City | Djibouti |
| Currency | djiboutian franc (DJF) |
| Emoji Symbol | 🇩🇯 |
| Highest Point | Mousa Ali (2,028 m) |
| Internet TLD | .dj |
| Population(2017) | 956,985 |
| Total Area | 23,200 km2 |