Djibouti

Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa. It sits on the Red Sea, where ships from all over the world pass by. The land is hot, dry, and full of amazing rocks and salt lakes. About 1 million people live in Djibouti, and the capital is also called Djibouti City.

Strange and Salty Lakes

Djibouti has one of the saltiest lakes in the world called Lake Assal. The water is so salty that you cannot sink in it. All around the lake, you can see white salt that looks like snow. Lake Assal is also the lowest point in all of Africa. The country has steaming hot springs and even active volcanoes. It is one of the hottest places on Earth.

People and Sea

People in Djibouti speak French and Arabic, along with Somali and Afar. Many families raise goats, camels, and sheep. The port of Djibouti is very important because ships from many countries stop there. Fishermen catch fresh fish from the Red Sea every day. A popular meal is spicy stew with rice or flatbread. People enjoy sweet tea with friends and family.

Fun Facts

• Djibouti has whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world, visiting its waters.
• Lake Assal is 10 times saltier than the ocean.
• The country has one of the hottest average temperatures on Earth.

Did You Know?

You can float on the surface of Lake Assal without even trying because the water is so incredibly salty.