Djibouti

For the city of the same name, see Djibouti (city). [[File:|250px|frameless|Djibouti]] Location [[File:|250px|frameless]] Flag [[File:|108px|frameless]] Quick Facts Capital Djibouti Government republic Currency Djiboutian franc (DJF) Area 23,000 sq km Population 486,530 (July 2006 est.) Language French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Religion Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Electricity 220/240V 50HzHz Country code +253 Internet TLD .dj Time Zone UTC +3 Djibouti [1] is in East Africa, bordered by Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the west and south, and Somalia to the southeast. The Gulf of Aden lies to the east. The country can be divided into three regions; the coastal plain and volcanic plateaus in the central and southern parts of the country and the mountain ranges in the north. Much of the country is vast wasteland with virtually no arable land. Understand Djibouti's climate is very hot, humid and arid, especially in the summer. The summer heat is moderated, however, by a sustained breeze in the coastal city of Djibouti. From October to April, the temperature is cooler, with occasional rain. Cyclones from the Indian Ocean create heavy rains and flash flooding. Cities Djibouti - the capital and largest city Ali Sabieh Balho Dikhil Khor Angar Obock Tadjoura Yoboki Other destinations Lake Abhe on the Ethiopian border is a desolate, steaming lake surrounded by limestone chimneys and a lunar-esque landscape used as the "Forbidden Zone" in Planet of the Apes Lake Assal is Africa's lowest point (157m below sea level) and the saltiest lake outside Antarctica. Its shores are largely salt pans and nearby is Ardoukoba, which last erupted in 1978. Maskali Island Moucha Island Get in Visas are required by most nationals. Those travelling on French and Singaporean passports can get a visa on arrival for 5,000 DJF, valid for one month. Transit visas are valid for 10 days and are available on arrival at the airport to nationals of the European Union, Scandinavian countries and the USA for 10.000 FDJ (about US$55). If you plan to enter by land you have to arrange for visas in advance. Visas can be obtained from neighbouring countries and where no Djibouti embassy exists, they can often be obtained from the French embassy. The types of visas include: Entry (visa de séjour); Tourist (visa de tourisme); Business (visa d’affaires); and Transit (visa de transit). By plane Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB) connects Djibouti with Dubai It also has flights to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Puntland, Somaliland, Tanzania, Egypt, Madagascar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. Air France and Djibouti-based Daallo Airlines (D3) [2]) operates flights to Paris, and Daallo also flies to Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. The airport is 5km (3 miles) south of the city. By car There are roads from Djibouti to Assab (Eritrea) and going west into Ethiopia via Dikhil. Travellers using them should be aware that road conditions are generally poor and personal security might be at risk when travelling – particularly to Ethiopia. Visitors are advised to check transit regulations as political conditions in Ethiopia and Eritrea are changeable. Currently, there are no problems with traveling to Eritrea and no formal border posts. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for the interior. There is a new highway from Djibouti to Tadjoura. Traffic drives on the right. It is advisable to carry water and petrol on any expedition off main routes. An International Driving Permit is recommended, although not legally required. A temporary licence to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid British or Northern Ireland driving licence. By bus Buses operate from Djibouti to most towns and villages throughout the country. Buses leave when they are full. A minibus service operates in Djibouti, stopping on demand. A flat-fare system is used. By boat There are ferry services connecting Djibouti to Yemen. Djibouti City is one of the main ports of eastern Africa so it's well trafficked. By train Train services between Ethiopia and Djibouti City have ceased.[3] Get around Taxis are available in Djibouti and from the airport to the town; also in Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Dorale and Arta. Fares can increase by 50 percent after dark. As you exit the airport, there is a big billboard displaying expected taxi fares. Look for it. Bicycling is a great way to get around the small capital. Ferry services sail daily from L'Escale (Djibouti) to Tadjoura and Obock. The journey takes about three hours. Talk Although French and Arabic are the official languages, Somali and Afar are widely spoken. English may be spoken at tourist facilities, but is not widely spoken by locals or taxi drivers. See Lac Assal. 150m below sea level, Lake Assal is the third-lowest point on Earth. You'll need to hire a car or ask someone who lives in Djibouti to drive you there. Expect a rough ride: the roads outside the capital are destroyed by the truck traffic between Djibouti and Ethiopia. The road passes within sight of the Devil's Island, and some impressive views. Expect to be awestruck.  edit Do Scuba Diving—despite the country's arid landscape, underwater off the coast lie several reefs teaming with all sorts of life. Buy Khat: A leafy stimulant popular with the locals. The herb is flown into the country each morning from Ethiopia and arrives by truck in Djibouti's Central Market at about 1PM. It is fairly inexpensive, but quality varies greatly, so shop with caution. PROVISO: If you are prone to indulge, discern whether this is a good idea, as you are in a foreign country and may be placed under suspicion as a foreign visitor for partaking in acts illegal in your country of origin. Take care! In addition, Khat may not be taken out of Djibouti through the airport and use and possession by foreigners is not encouraged - you may be subject to police involvement, as it is considered a controlled substance in some other countries, or illegal. The currency of Djibouti is the Djiboutian Franc (DJF). The Djiboutian Franc is pegged to the US dollar. As of January 2010, 1 USD = 158.5 DJF, 1 EUR = 223.79 DJF, and 1 GBP = 258.4 DJF. Costs May 2010: Conversion between DJF and USD is fairly stable as the DJF is tied to the dollar. You can convert dollars to francs with local street money changers located in the Djiboutian market area for 175 DJF to $1 USD. The street money changers are ladies who line the street waiting to convert USD to DJF. They are generally honest brokers. Have your calculator ready and make sure to ask in advance what the conversion rate is, if they quote you anything less than 175 go to another broker. Most all of them speak a little English. You can purchase general merchandise and food items at the larger department stores using USD and they will use the 175 conversion rate. The tourist traps will obviously see you coming a mile away and hit you with ridiculous conversion rates as well as their tourist prices. If you have access to Camp Lemonnier, go to the disbursement office for the best rate at 177. These rates have not changed since July 2009. Eat Melting Pot (Restaurant), Heron (heron, Bernard street), ☎ 253 21350399, [4]. 11am-11pm. Restaurant Melting Pot Djibouti, is located few hundred m from the port. Here you can find camel meat, steaks, sushi,lobster,fish...and fresh beers. Check our website for more informations 4$-30$.  edit Drink The city of Djibouti has many places to eat as well as tourist traps. If you are interested in western cuisine, be prepared for sticker shock. If you are interested in good local cuisine, then you and your pocket book will be happier for the experience. For example, the Ethiopian Community Center offers a wide variety of dishes with a local flair which are very tasty, safe to eat, and reasonably priced. Best to avoid places that the tourists hang out at, and you will be happier for the experience. Average price per meal outside of a tourist trap: $4 including drink. Visit this link for an interesting synopsis of local restaurants offerings with commentary: http://travellingchitalian.com/2011/12/04/djibouti-restaurant-review/ Sleep Learn Work Stay safe Natural hazards include earthquakes and droughts. Occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods. Visitors should be aware of the risk of banditry if traveling outside the capital city. Stay healthy Health insurance is advisable. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for any medical treatment. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Cholera is also a serious risk and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding if these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. Typhoid immunization is usually advised. TRAVELLERS HEALTH ADVISORY: Malaria risk exists via mosquitos, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form year round (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasmodium_falciparum). Strains resistant to chloroquine have been reported here. Mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone/proguanil are recommended. The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is currently over 3% or 1 in 33 adults. Protect yourself. Respect Casual wear is widely acceptable, but visitors are reminded that Djibouti is a Muslim country and certain codes of behavior should be observed. Shorts are generally not appropriate outside of hotels, beaches, or sport activities. Contact The 13th French Foreign Legion Demi-Brigadeis (13ème DBLE)(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Demi-Brigade_of_the_Foreign_Legion), permanently stationed in Djibouti, consists of about 800 men. They can be contacted by the following address: adresse postale 13ème DBLE - Djibouti Quartier MONCLAR SP 85030 00815 ARMEES There is also a 2,000 person plus U.S. military presence in Djibouti, located at Camp Lemonnier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Lemonnier) across the runway from the international airport. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!