Administrative divisions:

6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah

Independence:

27 June 1977 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Constitution:

approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows for multiparties

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations