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Djibouti is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea on the east, Eritrea to the north, Ethiopia to the north and northwest and Somalia to the southeast. Djibouti was originally inhabited by nomadic tribes, the main ones being the Afars and the Issas, who are strongly linked to Ethiopia and Somalia respectively. In 1862, the French signed a treaty with the Afar leaders, giving them land on the north coast. During the rest of the 19th century, Djibouti gradually became more firmly associated with France.
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 wastelands with virtually no arable land. The climate is generally extremely hot and dry.
Hotels in Djibouti tend to be expensive and the few cheap hotels are somewhat rundown. There is a small number of first-class hotels.
Outside Djibouti, accommodation is limited, although attention is being given to upgrading and adding to the accommodation available in the hinterland. The rest shelter at Ali-Sabieh, a provincial town in the hills, has a large shaded terrace and simple cooking facilities. There are also hotels or pensions in Dikhil, Obock and Tadjara; however, much remains to be done. The government would like to establish a network of rest houses similar to the one at Ali-Sabieh throughout the country. In addition, it hopes to build several beach shelters. 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.
Surrounded by dormant volcanoes and lava fields, 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. It is possible to windsurf on wheels in the desert areas.
Travellers should be aware of the threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.
Visitors should be aware of the risk of banditry if travelling outside the capital city.
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