For more information see the Djibouti profile.

The Republic of Djibouti, once a part of French Somaliland, is a hot, dry, desert enclave between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Reported to be the world's hottest country, it is often plagued by droughts. Civil war broke out in 1991, and the Somali-dominated government was forced by aid donors and Afar guerrillas to legalize multi-party democracy in 1992. Bringing only cosmetic changes, the warfare resumed and the government is losing credibility. There is a considerable degree of religious freedom. Djibouti is 94.6% Muslim, the two largest people groups are the Afar and the Issa Somali. The few Somali and Afar believers are often isolated and suffer many pressures from relatives.