Obock Region

Obock Region
Region
Coordinates: 11°58′N 43°18′E / 11.967°N 43.300°E / 11.967; 43.300Coordinates: 11°58′N 43°18′E / 11.967°N 43.300°E / 11.967; 43.300
Country  Djibouti
Capital Obock
Area
 • Total 4,700 km2 (1,800 sq mi)
Population (2015)
 • Total 42,277
 • Density 9.0/km2 (23/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code DJ-OB

The Obock Region (Somali: Gobolka Obock, Afar: Obock Rakaakay) is a region in northern Djibouti. It has a land area of 4,700 square kilometres (1,800 sq mi).

History

In the mid-19th century and earlier, Obock was ruled by Somali and Afar Sultans, local authorities with whom France signed various treaties between 1883 and 1887 to first gain a foothold in the region.[1][2][3] Obock region becomes a separate administrative entity in March 1927. It was then an administrative position. It disappears into the circle of Adaels administered from Tadjoura in 1929, becoming a post in 1931. Briefly elevated to circle during the Second World War, he becomes formally independent in 1963. Its boundaries have changed very little over time, they have not been changed since 1939.

Overview

Obock Region landscape

The Region is bordered by Eritrea to the north, the Tadjourah Region to the southwest, and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the east.

The regional capital is Obock, which is positioned on the Gulf of Tadjourah littoral. With a population of under 9,000 inhabitants, the city has a functional airstrip and offers regular ferry services to Djibouti City. Other major cities in the region include Medeho, Waddi, Lahassa, Khor Angar, Moulhoule, Alaili-Dadda, Andoli, Bisidirou.

The topography of the Obock Region also includes a number of salt-lakes, with the We'ima Wenz flowing through the area.

Demographics

According to the 2009 Census, the local population consists of 37,856 individuals, 16,370 of whom are nomads. The city is a governorate located in the extreme north of the country, with an area of 5700 km2 and an estimated population of 40,128.

Climate

The region's elevation has an effect on local temperature levels. Higher areas on average are 11°C (20°F) cooler, day or night. Overnight lows drop to about 50–54 °F (10–12.2 °C).

The annual mean statistics for some Obock Region centres is shown below:

Town Min. Temp Max. Temp Rainfall
Obock 22.3 °C (72.1 °F) 41.0 °C (105.8 °F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Alaili Dadda` 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Khor `Angar 22.8 °C (73.0 °F) 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) 57 mm (2.2 in)

Towns

Notes

  1. ↑ Raph Uwechue, Africa year book and who's who, (Africa Journal Ltd.: 1977), p.209.
  2. ↑ Hugh Chisholm (ed.), The encyclopædia britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, literature and general information, Volume 25, (At the University press: 1911), p.383.
  3. ↑ A Political Chronology of Africa, (Taylor & Francis), p.132.

References


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