by lucy suggitt
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Location: AfricaStatus: UN CountryCapital City: DjiboutiMain Cities: TadjourahPopulation: 496,000Area: 23,200 km2Currency: 1 Djibouti franc =
100 centimesLanguages: French, ArabicReligions: Muslim
The national flag of Djibouti (French: Drapeau de Djibouti) features two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star (representing the areas Somalis live in the region) in the centre. These five places are British Somaliland (Republic of Somaliland/Somalia), Italian Somaliland (Somalia), French Somaliland (Djibouti), Ogaden (Ethiopia) and Northeastern Kenya. The colours used can be seen to symbolise the earth (green), the sea and sky (blue) and peace (white), with the red star representing unity. It was first flown on the day of the independence of Djibouti, June 27, 1977. The national flag, adopted in 1977, was an adaptation of the flag of the Ligue Populaire Africaine pour l'Independence (LPAI) that led Djibouti to independence. The LPAI flag had a red triangle with a white star. The light blue represents the Issa people, green represents the Afar people, with their land and links to Islam. White, green, and light blue are the colors of the LPAI. The red star signifies the unity of the diverse state.
The national coat of arms of Djibouti pictured here was introduced after attaining independence on 27 June 1977. It is bordered on the sides with laurel branches. Within this perimeter there is a vertical spear, in front of which is a shield. Underneath the shield, two hands rise away from the spear, which both carry a large knife. These two hands symbolize the main two ethnic groups of the nation: the ethnic group Afar and the ethnic group Issa.
FoodDjibouti is a country located at the eastern side of the continent of Africa. The country of Djibouti is officially called as the Republic of Djibouti. The country possesses superb variety as well as quality of Djibouti Food. The tourists to the country of Djibouti would have a lifetime experience after tasting the mouth watering and delicious Djibouti Food.
There are many restaurants in the country that serve the visitors both local food of Djibouti as well as several international recipes. The cuisine of Djibouti is extremely rich and varied. Food of Djibouti is a major part of the tourism industry of Djibouti.
The local food of Djibouti is highly influenced by the French and the Arab culinary art forms. Asian cuisine can also be found in some restaurants of the country to pamper the taste buds of the people belonging from Asia. Fast foods are also prevalent among the Djibouti people.
FestivalsThe Festivals in Djibouti which are mainly religious have grown out of a combination of Islamic and Christian traditions. The country of Djibouti is situated in eastern Africa and celebrates a variety of festivals. Among these Ramadan and Christmas are the two major festivals which are celebrated in great style. There are numerous festivals in Djibouti and public holidays are declared for the occasions. The tourists will have a glimpse of the vibrant culture of Djibouti through the Djibouti festivals which are a representation of the harmonious mingling of different religions and ethnic groups.Since the dominant religion of Djibouti is Islam there are a majority of Muslim festivals accompanied by great festivity. For example, the Eid Al Adha festival is celebrated and the day is declared as a national holiday in Djibouti. This is a time when people are supposed to dress up in their finest dresses and attend the Eid prayers in the nearby mosque. Some of the richer families also sacrifice animals on this occasion. The Islamic festivals in Djibouti are chosen according to the Islamic calendar according to the phases of the moon. After this the Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated in the country which is another major festival.Facts about Djibouti also inform you about the Prophet’s Birthday in Djibouti which is another major occasion for celebration in the country. Celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed who was thought to be born in 570 A.D. is an occasion for an unofficial holiday for the Muslim community.Djibouti Tours will be enriched by your attending the Christmas festival which was introduced by some missionaries as part of Djibouti festivals. Despite the festival being Christian it is celebrated throughout the country in a secular vein. Along with this, the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrate the occasion by holding religious ceremonies every year on 7th January.Festivals in Djibouti also include the Labor Day, also known as Fete du Travail. It is celebrated on 1st may with great fanfare. Most of the government offices and businesses remains closed on the day and there are celebrations held in all parts of Djibouti. Djibouti travel will also inform you that the Independence Day held on 27th June which is a declared National holiday and one of the primary reasons for country wide celebrations.
Animals
Dik Dik
Dik-diks are small African antelopes of the Genus Madoqua and are named for the sound they make when alarmed.
