Djibouti: Get to Know about the Third Smallest Country in Africa
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VIVA – Djibouti is a country located in East Africa. The country declared its independence on June 27, 1977. Djibouti also has incredible marine life including whale sharks and other amazing wildlife sanctuaries.
The Somali and Afar tribes in this country became one of the African nations who converted to Islam. Djibouti is a Muslim country that regularly participates in Islamic gatherings.
Here are interesting facts about Djibouti:
1. Separation of Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Powers
Djibouti has been a republic since its independence from France in 1977, they held legislative and presidential elections in 1981. The country maintains a separation of powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
2. Djibouti Has the Second Most Salty Lake in the World
Djibouti has a lake called Lac Assal or Lake Assal, the lake in the center of Djibouti is said to have a salinity level 10 times saltier than the sea. In fact, Lake Assal is the second saltiest body of water in the world after the Don Juan Pond in Antarctica.
3. Lac of Origin is the Lowest Point in Africa
At 155 meters below the surface, Lac Assal is the lowest point in Africa and the third lowest point in the world after the Dead Sea and the Sea of ??Galilee.
4. Many Military Bases
Several countries have military bases in Djibouti including France, the US and China. Djibouti's status as a model of stability in a volatile region and its proximity to the world's busiest shipping routes make it highly attractive to global military powers.
It is known that the economy in Djibouti is largely supported by port services and land leasing for the headquarters of foreign troops to improve the economy.
5. There is Afar Triple Junction Plain
Djibouti is right on a plain known as the Afar Triple Junction where three different segments of the earth's crust namely, (African, Somali and Arabian plates) are separated from each other.
6. New 750km Train Line Opened
In 2017, a new 750 km railway line was opened. This line connects Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to Djibouti City.
Then in 2018, Djibouti opened the train line to the public, when Lonely Planet covered it and they considered Djibouti to be one of their best travel destinations in 2018.
7. Djibouti is the Third Smallest Country on the African Continent
At 23,200 sq km (8,958 sq mil), Djibouti is the third smallest country on the African continent, after Swaziland (second smallest) and Gambia (smallest).
The capital city of Djibouti is home to more than 600,000 people or 76% of the country's total population of 865,267.
8. Hussein Ahmed Salah Becomes the Only Olympic Winner in Djibouti
Hussein Ahmed Salah is the only Djiboutian athlete to win an Olympic medal. He won a bronze medal at the 1988 marathon in Seoul, South Korea.
9. Many Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are often seen on the coast of Djibouti. Even according to local people, this animal consistently always comes to the beach, it makes Djibouti known among divers as the main place to swim with whale sharks.
10. Disbandment of Djibouti National Football Team
The Djibouti national football team was disbanded in 2017 this is because their national team has never qualified for a major international tournament. In addition, this disbandment is also a reason to "stop the bad results" as a team ranked 185 in the world.