1. At 23,200 square kilometers (8,958 square miles), Djibouti is the third smallest country in continental Africa, after Swaziland (second smallest) and Gambia (smallest).
2. Lac Assal is the saltiest lake outside of Antarctica. It is even saltier than the famous Dead Sea.
3. The only way water goes out of Lac Assal is through evaporation. The salt, however, is actively extracted for both personal use and commercial trade by the residents and nomads near the lake.
4. Lac Assal is the lowest point in all of Africa. It is the third lowest in the world, after the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, both found in Israel.
5. Lake Abbe is located in the same area where the famous Australopithecus skeleton Lucy was found in 1974 – the Afar Depression.
6. Christmas in Djibouti is celebrated not on December 25 but on January 7, as is the practice of many Orthodox Christian churches.
7. The nation’s favorite pastime is qat chewing. Qat is a medicinal plant with mild narcotic properties.
8. Qat, arguably the favorite plant of Djibouti, is banned in many European countries but – as of 2011 – not in the United Kingdom.
9. Taxi fares in Djibouti increase 50% after sunset.
10. The Somali and Afar tribes of Djibouti are some of the very first Africans to adopt the Islamic religion.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.
