Djibouti
Travel Guide > Africa > Djibouti
In this Article
- Introduction
- Brief History
- Geography
- Regions
- Cities
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Red Tape
- Money
- Work
- Study
- Language
- Eat
- Sleep
- Drink
- Health
- Safety
- Keep Connected
Quick Facts
[edit]
- Local name
- Arabic: جيبوتي Jībūtī, Somali: Jabuuti
- Capital
- Djibouti
- Government
- Republic
- Nationality
- Djiboutian
- Population
- 461,000
- Languages
- French, Arabic
- Religions
- Islam, Christianity
- Currency
- Djiboutian Franc (DJF)
- Calling Code
- +253
- Time Zone
- UTC+3
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Introduction
Djibouti (Arabic: جيبوتي) appears as a mere speck on a world maps, squeezed tightly between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia and pushed up against the Red Sea. Its inconspicuous geographic nature and troubled history of civil war have been the major brakes on Djiboutian tourism. Yet as internal storms have been calmed with reasonable success, matters are looking a little more positive for the traveller who enjoys being away from the crowd. Djiboutian attractions are varied: windsurfing on wheels in the desert; swimming, surfing and skiing at the beaches around Djibouti City; the lakes of Assal and Abbé, each gorgeous in its own right. The capital is the central hub of activity and the vast majority of the country's population reside there. It is a most fascinating site of cultural interest, but we recommend that for stunning sightseeing, visitors head out of Djibouti City. Tadjoura, across the gulf, is a particular highlight.
Brief History
Geography
Regions
Djibouti is divided into 5 regions and one city:
- Ali Sabieh Region (Region d'Ali Sabieh)
- Arta Region (Region d'Arta)
- Dikhil Region (Region de Dikhil)
- Djibouti (City) (Ville de Djibouti)
- Obock Region (Region d'Obock)
- Tadjourah Region (Region de Tadjourah)
Sights and Activities
Lake Asal
Lake Asal is a salt water crater lake in the central area of the country. The lake lies 153 m (502 ft) below sea level in the Afar Depression making it the lowest point in all of Africa. The lake measures 10 km by 7 km. The average depth of the lake is 7.4 meters with a 34.8% salt concentration, which makes it have a higher salt concentration then the Dead Sea. The lake is fed by underwater springs and the main outflow is evaporation.
Lake Abbé
Lake Abbé is located on the Ethiopia-Djibouti border and is the terminus of the Awash River. The lake is known for many sights. The first is the stunning salt water. Second, is on the northwest shore rises the stunning volcano of Dama Ali. Third, the lake is known for its 50 m high limestone chimneys, which have steam emitting from them. On the shore of the lake live the nomadic Afar people and wild flamingos. Lastly the original Planet of the Apes was filmed here.
Marché Central
Marché Central located on Blvd De Bender in the capital is an amazing market that is worth checking out. The market starts pretty early in the morning and doesn't end until the late afternoon. The best time to visit the market in order to see the most activity is around 1 pm. The market is very crowded and extremely load with the choir of car horns and hawkers.
Other Sights and Activities
- The Tomb of Sheikh Abu Yazid - Visit this remote tomb deep in the Goda Mountains.
- Diving - Enjoy some great reefs in towns like Tadjoura.
- Beaches - Chill out great beaches along the coast of Djibouti or remote salt water lakes.
- Desert Safari - Ride a camel on some rolling sand dunes.
- Kite Flying - Fly some kites along the beaches with locals.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Getting There
By Plane
Djibouti Airlines is the main airline in Djibouti and has its base at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB) near the capital. Destinations include Addis Ababa, Aden, Borama, Boosaaso, Dire Dawa, Dubai and Hargeisa. Daallo Airlines has flights to and from London, Paris and Dubai. Air France flies to Paris and Kenya Airways to Nairobi, Yemenia to Sana'a and Eritrean Airlines to Asmara.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Red Tape
Money
Work
Study
Language
Eat
Sleep
Drink
Health
Safety
This is version 7. Last edited at 19:56 on Jun 21, 08 by Lavafalls (+1812). 6 articles link to this page.
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