Djibouti

Djibouti officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a small country in eastern Africa, located in the Horn of Africa. Djibouti is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. On the other side of the Red Sea, on the Arabian Peninsula, 20 kilometers from the coast of Djibouti, is Yemen.

Djibouti has the republic’s international airport, some 5km south of the city. There are also airports at Obock and Tadjoura. Regional airlines serve Djibouti as do Air France, Air Djibouti and Aeroflot.
Djibouti has the republic’s international airport, some 5km south of the city. There are also airports at Obock and Tadjoura. Regional airlines serve Djibouti as do Air France, Air Djibouti and Aeroflot.
Djibouti is a major port. As conditions allow, it handles part of Ethiopia’s external trade.

VISAS & IMMIGRATION
Visas are required by all nationals except those of France. Transit visas are valid for 10 days and are available on arrival to nationals of the European Union, Scandinavian countries and the USA. Visas can be obtained from neighbouring countries and where there is no Djibouti embassy they can be obtained from the French embassy.
When you enter the country you are required to show an onward ticket, if you do not have one you may be forced to purchase one at the airport before entering the country - this requirement is generally not applicable if you arrive overland from Ethiopia.

Tourist Attraction
Khor Ambado, like numerous other beaches around the Gulf of Tadjoura, is a never crowded expanse of perfect white sand bordered by black basalt, with an arch of almost never rough water. There’s a drop-off to a gorgeous reef just forty feet off the beach

Khor Ambado is never busy, though it is a favorite beach of the local French population because it’s only about a 45-minute 4wd trip out of Djibouti City. The road is rough, and you are likely to be accosted by vagrant . children. It’s always best to take your own food and drinks and just plan that there are no facilities.

When the water is clear, the snorkeling off the beach is absolutely stunning. But low tide is a challenge because coral grows right up to the limit of the tide, and it is also overgrown with kelp plants. So at low tide, getting out to the reef is a bit challenging because one has to thread through thick knots of seaweed over sometimes stinging coral. There are abundant rock fish and some huge sea anemones.
Djibouti is a remote country.. If you are interested in gorgeous beaches and amazing snorkeling, it is a good destination -- especially in the winter months.

Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
Geographic coordinates:
11 30 N, 43 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 23,000 sq km
land: 22,980 sq km
water: 20 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
Total: 516 km
Border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km
Coastline:
314 km
Climate:
Desert; torrid, dry
Terrain:
Coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m
Highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m
Natural resources:
Geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum
Natural hazards:
Earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances
from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
Geography
Strategic location near world’s busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa
Population:
486,530 (July 2006 est.)
Nationality:
Djiboutian(s)
Ethnic groups:
Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian)
Religions:
Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
Languages:
French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
Country name:
Conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti
Conventional short form: Djibouti
Local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti
Local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti
Former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Djibouti
Administrative divisions:
6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah
Independence:
27 June 1977 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
Currency
Djiboutian franc (DJF)
Exchange rates:
Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003), 177.72 (2002) .

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