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 specialities.

Northeast Africa, Gulf of Aden.

GMT + 3.

23,200 sq km (8958 sq miles).

721,000 (UN, 2005)

31.1 per sq km

Djibouti. Population: 575,100 (2005).

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.

The official languages are Arabic and French. Afar and Somali are spoken locally. English is spoken by hoteliers, taxi drivers and traders.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1977. Head of State: President Ismail Omar Guelleh since 1999 (re-elected in 2005). Head of Government: Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita since 2001. Recent history: Ismail Omar Guelleh succeeded his uncle, Hasan Gouled Aptidon, in April 1999. He won the Presidential elections as the RPP candidate with 74 per cent of the vote. The RPP joined with FRUD to form a new ruling coalition, l'Union pour la Majorité Présidentielle (UMP). The UMP took 62.7 per cent of the votes but won all 65 seats in the Chamber of Deputies due to Djibouti's unusual first-past-the-post list system in the Parliamentary elections in January 2003. Presidential elections were held on 8 April 2005. Guelleh claimed 96.85 per cent of the vote. The opposition l'Union pour l'Alternative Démocratique (UAD) disputed the high turnout figure of 78.9 per cent and called for a boycott of the polls. Guelleh is now serving his second six-year term and will not be eligible to stand again.

Predominantly Muslim (94 per cent) with Roman Catholic, Protestant and Greek Orthodox minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Casual wear is widely acceptable, but visitors are reminded that Djibouti is a Muslim country and certain codes of behaviour should be observed.