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	Culture of the Month (If you're a culture, we WILL find you!!!) DJIBOUTI FACTS Area 23,200 sq km (8958 sq miles). Population 693,000 (official UN estimate 2002). Population Density 29.9 per sq km. Capital Djibouti. Population: 547,100 (official estimate 2003). Language The official languages are Arabic and French. Afar and Somali are spoken locally. English is spoken by hoteliers, taxi drivers and traders. Government Republic. Gained independence from France in 1977. Head of State: President Ismail Omar Guelleh since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita since 2001. Religion Predominantly Muslim with Roman Catholic, Protestant and Greek Orthodox minorities. Public Holidays Jan 1 2005:   New Year’s Day. Jan 21:   Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 10:   El-am-Hejir (Islamic New Year). Apr 21:   Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 1:   Labor Day. Jun 27:   Independence Day. Nov 3-5:   Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25:   Christmas Day. Jan 1 2006:   New Year’s Day. Jan 13:   Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 31:   El-am-Hejir (Islamic New Year). May 1:   Labor Day. May 11:   Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Jun 27:   Independence Day. Oct 22-24:   Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 25:   Christmas Day. OVERVIEW 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 specialties. Geography Djibouti is part of the African continent, bordered to the northeast and east by the Red Sea, the southeast by Somalia, the southwest by Ethiopia and to the north by Eritrea. The country is a barren strip of land around the Gulf of Tadjoura, varying in width from 20km (12 miles) to 90km (56 miles), with a coastline of 300km (188 miles), much of it white sandy beaches. Inland is semi-desert and desert, with thorn bushes, steppes and volcanic mountain ranges. WHERE TO GO Djibouti is a late 19th-century city with a distinctly Arabic feel. Attractions include the lively Central Market (Le Marché Central) near the Mosque, and many good local restaurants. Also worth seeing is the Tropical Aquarium with underwater exhibits from the Red Sea (open daily 1600-1830), and the Presidential Palace. Nearby are beaches at Dorale, 11km (7 miles), and Kor Ambado, 14km (9 miles). Djibouti lies within a geological feature known as the Afar Triangle, one of the hottest and most desolate places on Earth. Part of the Great Rift Valley system, it is a wedge of flat desert pushing into the Ethiopian Massif. Much of it is below sea level. Lake Assal, 100km (60 miles) to the southwest of Djibouti city, is one of the lowest surface areas anywhere on the planet (150m (570 ft) below sea level); and is reachable only by 4-wheel-drive vehicle. LINKS http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Djibouti/Overview www.office-tourisme.dj