The country of Djibouti sits on a gulf in Northeast Africa and has a population of only about 750,000. The capital city is also named Djibouti where the majority of the
people, about 575,000 of them, live. The country gained its independence from France back in 1977. Arabic and French are the official languages and you’ll find that Somali and Afar are
also spoken. Most hotels, merchants, and taxi drivers can also speak English. The weather is quite hot and dry, especially from June to August. It’s a little cooler from October to
April with some light rain.
Djibouti has access to the Red Sea as it’s bordered to the east and northeast by it. Its coastline is about 190 miles long and is filled with some fantastic sandy beaches. Inland, the
country is mainly desert, steppes, thorn bushes, and volcanic mountain ranges. Some of the most popular centers are Dorale, Kor Ambado, Ali-Sabeh, Obock, Tadjoura, and Ghoubet al
Kharab.
The capital of Djibouti dates back to the late 19th-century and it has a distinct Arabic influence to it. There’s a pretty lively market close to the
mosque called Le Marche Central.
The Tropical Aquarium is a great place to see some excellent underwater exhibits that hail from the Red Sea and the Presidential Palace is definitely worth a visit.
There are some wonderful beaches close to the city, with the ones at Dorale and Kor Ambado being among the best, especially for water sports. Most of the city is below sea level and is
surrounded by lava fields and dormant volcanoes. Lake Assal, which is about 60 miles away, sits 570 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest places on the planet.
The town of Ali-Sabeh has a large bustling large market and Lake Abbe is a great place to view thousands of pelicans and flamingos. The scuba diving and fishing is excellent on the
other side of the Gulf of Tadjoura, as is the underwater photography. The towns of Obock and Tadjoura are very interesting as the latter has seven mosques. The Goda Mountains National
Park is an ideal spot to view the countryside and its wildlife. If you’d like to view the Red Sea’s coral reefs you can see them easily from the beaches, especially between September
and May.
If you’re flying into the country, the main airport is located in Djibouti city and you can get a taxi into town. There’s a rail line from Djibouti to Ethiopia and road links from
Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, the roads aren’t the greatest. There are some ferry services available from L’Escale to Obock and Tadjoura which take about three hours. You can travel
around the country by bus and rent cars at the airport. Minibuses and taxis are available to get around the city of Djibouti.
Most of the hotels and restaurants are located in the city of Djibouti and you’ll be able to find some good ones that serve Arab, French, Chinese, and Vietnamese dishes. Some of the
best local food includes fresh seafood, fried meat, lentils, and unleavened bread. Not many people drink in Djibouti and it might be pretty hard finding a place that sells alcohol.
The country of Djibouti is a fantastic place to enjoy the beaches, wildlife, and historic capital city. It may be a small nation, but it offers plenty of sites and activities.
About Djibouti