Balbala
بلبالا | |
|---|---|
 Balbala from National Route 1 | |
 Location of Balbala within Djibouti Region | |
  Balbala | |
| Coordinates: 11°33′43″N 43°05′52″E / 11.56194°N 43.09778°E | |
| Country |  Djibouti |
| Region | Djibouti Region |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 223,043 |
| • Density | 5,600/km2 (14,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (East Africa Time) |
Balbala (Arabic: بلبالا) is a southern suburb of Djibouti City, located west of the river Ambouli.[1] The name is from the "Flashing" (on Somali bal-bal be derived) from the nearby lighthouse. The suburb has formed since 1966 when access to the city was restricted. At first a shanty town, it is now a suburb with schools and a hospital, and a population estimated at 80,000.