Djibouti 5-FRANCS (KM22)¶
-
Reverse WATERBUCK
-
Obverse Coat of Arms
- Composition
- Aluminum
- Country
- Djibouti
- Approx. Size
- 32mm
- Area
- Africa
- Animal Class
- Mammals
- Species
- Waterbuck
- KM#
- 22
The Waterbuck is a member of the antelope family. They live on the savannah, or in scrubland over a large portion of Africa, but always near water. Experts disagree on whether waterbuck actually like to go in the water. Some say no, others say yes if they have to escape from predators (which makes perfect sense). The Waterbuck 1-, 2-, and 5-franc coins were first issued in 1977. This 5-franc coin was also issued in 1986, 1989, and 1991.
Djibouti¶
- Area
- Africa
Djibouti is a very small country on the eastern 'horn' of Africa, at the southern end of the Red Sea. It was a French protectorate in the 19th century known as French Somaliland. The name was changed to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas in 1967. Independence was achieved in 1977 as Djibouti. The desert land has a chronic shortage of drinking water, but it is a statregically important trade location. It is this location that fuels the country's service-based economy. Unfortunately, nearly half the people don't have jobs. The two main groups -- Issa (Somali) and Afar -- have had trouble getting along especially during the 1990s when they went to war against each other. In April 2005, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh -- the second president of Djibouti -- won his second 6-year term after winning 100% of the ballots. He was the only candidate on the ballot. Surprisingly, nearly 80% of eligible voters went out to vote.
