years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.08 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Djiboutian(s)
adjective: Djiboutian

Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian,
and Italian 5%

Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 46.2%
male: 60.3%
female: 32.7%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form: Djibouti
former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Data code: DJ

Type of government: republic

Capital: Djibouti

Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular -
cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura

Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Constitution: multiparty constitution approved in referendum 4
September 1992

Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional
practices, and Islamic law

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:
chief of state: President HASSAN GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June
1977); election last held 7 May 1993 (next to be held NA 1999);
results - President HASSAN GOULED reelected to a six-year term by
universal suffrage
head of government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30
September 1978)
cabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes): elections last held 18
December 1992; results - RPP (the ruling party) dominated; seats -
(65 total) RPP 65

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon
other parties: Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Mohamed Jama ELABE;
Democratic National Party (PND), ADEN Robleh Awaleh

Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of
Unity and Democracy (FRUD) and affiliates; Movement for Unity and
Democracy (MUD)

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD,
AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WMO, WT