Djibouti OVERVIEW
Keeping off border disputes, the small African country of Djibouti is an oasis of neutrality, enjoying a relatively stable and peaceful atmosphere. Sadly for the tourist figures, the land is often overlooked, its rare qualities unwitnessed, and seen as nothing more than a pit stop for ships crossing the Red Sea or a transit route to Eritrea or Ethiopia. But for those who venture into the interior, Djibouti opens up its tiny, yet full of worthwhile stops, travel trove.
As for Djibouti, it's again not size that really matters. This 23,000-square-kilometer country located in the Horn of Africa has always played an important strategic role guarding the entrance to the waters of the Red Sea. A former French colony, Djibouti was the last African country to gain independence in 1977 and still today remains an important French base in the region with more than a half of the income fuelled directly or indirectly by France. It's also the French who are best acquainted with the country's assets. For a wider tourist audience, Djibouti is still waiting to be appreciated. And there surely is much to give you unforgettable holiday memories. The arid and rocky land is a marvel with some spectacular rock formations and bizarre lunar landscapes like those of Lac Abbe. Head for Lac Assal and you'll be exploring the lowest point of the continent with water steaming at 34˚C and fantastic pressure chimneys filling the surrounding plateau with a big hiss. Don't get discouraged with the often dusty, sun-bleached landscapes for if you overcome your weariness with the somewhat desert sites, Djibouti will surprise you with a spectacular giant oasis, the Goda Mountains, which spring like a lush green fountain from a dry, dust-sprinkled expanse.
If you're one of those who are not on a tight budget and with a penchant for the eerie surroundings - Djibouti is a tiny speck of land to focus your traveler eye.
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