French Somaliland
Flag Abyssinia and the French Somaliland in 1911, including the course of the Franco-Ethiopian Railway
Capital Djibouti
Languages French, Somali, Afar, Arabic
Religion Islam, Christianity
Government Dependent territory
Governor - 1896-1899 Léonce Lagarde - 1966-1967 Louis Saget
Historical era New Imperialism - Established May 20, 1896 - Italian invasion June 18, 1940 - British occupation December 28, 1942 - Status changed to overseas territory October 27, 1946 - Renamed July 5, 1967
Area - 1963 23,200 km²
Population - 1963 est. 165,000 Density 7.1 /km²
Currency French franc French Somaliland franc
Today part of Djibouti
French Somaliland was a French colony in the Horn of Africa. It was established between 1883 and 1887, after the then-ruling Somali and Afar sultans signed the land away in various treaties with the French.