553817 - 500 Francs DJIBOUTI 1979 P.36a

DJIBOUTI

The opening of the Suez Canal gave the Gulf of Aden an unequaled strategic importance at the exit from the Red Sea. The English controlled Aden, the French bought Obock in 1862 while Marseille shipowners settled in Tadjoura. In 1884, a French protectorate was passed with the local potentates. The same was done with the Somali chiefs. Colonel Lagarde founded Djibouti in 1888. The capital was transferred in 1891 from Obock to Djibouti. Having colony status in 1894, the region took the name of Côte Française des Somalis in 1896.