Djibouti is a nation situated on the Horn of Africa, next to the strategically important Bab el Mandeb (Gate of Tears), guarding the entrance to the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden. Twenty miles to the east, across the entrance to the Red Sea, lies the Yemen.This compact republic has many special features which make a visit very rewarding. Formerly a French colonial outpost, it retains many French connections and cultural perspectives.Geography The size of the US State of Massachusetts, it has a coastal plain backed by stony desert (where the French Foreign Legion trains), and behind that plateaux and highland areas - especially the Goda Massif in the north.It is bordered on the on the west by Ethiopia - a major trading partner, on the south by Somalia, and on the north by Eritrea, surrounding the Gulf of Tadjoura. The Gulf leads via the Ghoubbet Pass into Lake Ghoubbet (the Devil's Cauldron). One of the least hospitable places in the world, Lake Assal is a crater lake ringed by dormant volcanoes and black lava fields. It is located in the Afar Depression, part of the Great African Rift Valley, 153 meters below sea level - the lowest point on the African continent. Lake Assal's waters are the most saline in the world, containing over 34 percent salt.A presidential democracy, it is, divided into five regions and eleven districts. The country is named after its capital city, Djibouti.Wildlife The extremely rare Djibouti Francolin - a partridge - inhabits the the Juniper forests in the Goda Massif - a highland area in the north of the country. There is a wide range of raptors, and in the month of August there are remarkable gatherings of migrating birds.Mammals include wild dogs, warthogs and, notably even leopards. Velvet monkeys are found in the Day Forest National Park, where sixty percent of Djibouti's wildlife lives. There are camels aplenty, and also herds of donkeys.Sealife Lake Ghoubbet, less than ten mile across, is not deep and has no fresh water flowing into it. Plankton breed there profusely and it is a major breeding area for the harmless whale-shark, which lives on plankton. In addition, there are at least two hundred species of coral, manta rays, barracuda, sailfish and marine life galore. Culture Djibouti offers little for the artist, unless a photographer, though the government is trying to develop this aspect. Without a university, there is little academic life of note. Of course, for authors writing about Djibouti and the region in general, there is plenty of material.Food Traditional foods are dairy products and meat, supplemented by grain-based dishes. An Ethiopian bread recipe, injera, is very popular.A feature of the diet is the consumption of the light narcotic leaf, qat, which is imported fresh from Ethiopia. Qat is consumed recreationally by nearly all men and has a mild amphetamine effect.Places to Stay Most visitors stay in Djibouti City. There are numerous international hotels up to five star standard, and smaller local hotels. There is a beach holiday complex on Moucha Island, twenty minutes by boat from Djibouti. There are smaller hotels in other towns (for example Tadjoura), but standards are variable.Nightlife Djibouti City has a French naval presence, plus a US military base at Camp Lemonnier. So, a lot of the lively nightlife has developed to service their requirements. There are numerous bars, cafs, clubs and restaurants. Activities are rather more restrained at Plage des Sables Blancs.How to get There Most flights require a stopover at Sana'a (Yemen), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) or Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), although a Djibouti-based airline has recently started direct flights from London and Paris.In summary, Djibouti is a land of compromise, a stable political haven in a region of uncertainty, with many unique natural features to offer the intrepid visitor, from exquisite white beaches to desert safaris.
