Djibouti

Djibouti is part of the African continent bounded by the Red Sea, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The country is a barren strip of land, much of it white sandy beaches. Inland is semi-desert and desert, with thorn bushes, steppes and volcanic mountain ranges. Djibouti city is late 19th-century and has a distinctly Arab feel. Attractions include a lively market near the Mosque, and many good local restaurants. Nearby are beaches at Dorale, 11km (7 miles), and at Kor Ambad, 14km (9 miles) away. Djibouti lies within a geological feature known as the Afar Triangle, one of the hottest and most desolate places on Earth, much of it located beneath sea level. Straddling the Ethiopian frontier is Lake Abbe, home to thousands of flamingoes and pelicans. A large market can be found at Ali-Sabieh, a major stop for the main-line train between Djibouti and Addis Ababa. On the opposite side of the Gulf of Tadjoura, an excellent place for scuba diving, fishing and underwater photography, are the towns of Obock and Tadjoura. There are restaurants to suit all tastes, serving French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arab and local specialities.