BACKGROUND :
Africa covers 6 per cent of the surface of the Earth and provides 20.4 per cent
of Earth’s landmass. Occupying this massive and significant territory there are
1.1 Billion people. Africa is the second largest and second most populous
continent on Earth.
DJIBOUTI
I confess that until I began researching for this post, I did not know that Djibouti is a country. I had heard the name, but believed it was simply a city , " somewhere in Africa". But that is part of the purpose of this exercise : to educate me about Mother Africa.
Djibouti is a Republic bordered by Eritrea in the North, Somalia in the South East, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in the East and Ethiopia in the South and West. It is small and is the 150th largest country in the World and the 46th largest in Africa ( 2 are smaller). It is the 160th most populous country in the world with a population of 900,000, and the 45th most populous country in Africa.
The people of Djibouti are Somali and Afar by ethnic origin. 94% of the population are Mohammedans. The country's strategic location on the Red Sea and adjacent to the Indian Ocean has guaranteed it a successful maritime role for transhipment and refuelling. It also serves as the principal import/export Port for neighbouring Ethiopia.
The country's territory has been the site of significant settlement since neolithic times.Along with northern Somalia, Eritrea and the Red Sea coast of Sudan , Djibouti is believed to have been part of the Land of Punt as it was known by the ancient Egyptians. Most of the 1,000 years of Mohammedan occupation have reflected tedious internal power struggles.In the late 19th Century the French moved into this shamble , and by a series of treaties gained control, naming the area French Somaliland. In 1958 a referendum voted to stay associated with France - largely because of the votes of the Afar people. A second vote on 1968 chose a somewhat looser association with France.It still did not satisfy the ethnic Somalis who wanted independence such as their brothers across the border in Somalia enjoyed. In 1977 a third vote was taken and a majority of 98.8% supported disengagement from France and independence. In the early 1990s there ws substantial civil unrest, which was only settled by the two major parties agreeing to a power sharing arrangement in 2000.
Economic activity is divided 80% Services Sector, 17% Industry and 3 % Agriculture. Weather is very hot by Australian standards with AVERAGE high temperatures equalling Sydney Summer highs and record temperatures as high as 47 degrees Celsius for June through to August. Average Low Temperatures are more like Sydney Summer Temperatures and Record Lows are typical Sydney Winter Maximums.
Djibouti is a vest pocket surprise and offers yet another brush stroke in the rich picture that is Africa.
Background:
Africa covers 6 per cent of the surface of the Earth and provides 20.4 per cent
of Earth’s landmass. Occupying this massive and significant territory there are
1.1 Billion people. Africa is the second largest and second most populous
continent on Earth.
SOMALIA
Somalia is situated right on the tip of the horn of Africa, bounded by the Gulf of Aden to the North , the Indian Ocean to the East, Kenya to the South West ,Ethiopia to the West and Djibouti to the North West. It has the longest coastline in Africa, and its land area makes it the 44th largest country in the world. However, its population of only 11,123000 ranks only 86th in the world( respectively the 18th largest in Africa and the 27th in Africa). But its GDP, at $ 5.86 Billions ranks only 163rd in the world.
The majority of the people are Sunni Mohammedans. The ethic minorities are mainly concentrated in the South. The majority (85%) are ethnic Somalis mainly Benardiris and the remaining 15% are African as we normally understand the description.The Africans are the descendants of slaves brought to the area by Mohammedan traders.
Politically, the country is a federal parliamentary republic, which gained its independence from colonial powers in 1960.The curent Constitution came into force in 2012.
History
Growing out of a series of city states from about 200 B.C. and it was an important regional trading nation on account of its location. In the barbaric Mohammedan invasions across North Africa in the 8th Century the country was overrun and the people were forced to convert or die as usual. There followed centuries of tedious Mohammedan governments and inter Mohammedan wars . This was dampened somewhat by British and Italian invasions in the late 19th Century. It was not until 1920 that the colonial powers were completely victorious. The Italians remained until 1941 when they were driven out by the British .And the British in turn remained until 1960 when independence was achieved. There are obviously a host of complexities covered over by this brief sketch.
Economy
In a marvellous euphemism, the country is said to have an " informal economy" based on livestock, remittances and telecommunications. This would seem to suggest chaos and corruption.80% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralists, keeping goats, sheep, camels and cattle.Whilst the country has a trade deficit of $190,000,000 , inward remittances from the global Somali diaspora total around $ 1,000,000,000 comfortably keeping the country afloat.
Summing up
Somalia is a Mohammedan country dependent on the diaspora of its people for the remittances that keep it alive. The country's legal system has been heavily influenced by Sharia law and no Christian religious observances are permitted.
On a lighter note it is not possible to be altogether opposed to country that has towns named "El Dubbo", "Ted" and "Bud Bud" and the misfortune to call its capital " Mogadishu".
