Animals and Plants
What is growing in Djibouti?
The flora in Djibouti is rather sparse, with deserts or semi-deserts taking up most of the country. Grasses and shrubs that are typical of the deserts grow here. On the coast you will find mangrove forests and in the mountains there are also smaller forests.
Which animals live in Djibouti?
Animals typical of East Africa such as antelopes, gazelles, hyenas and jackals live in the country. Warthogs, Nile monitors and kudus have also been spotted. The Abbe Lake in the southwest is remarkable. A large number of ibises, pelicans and pink flamingos cavort here.
The fauna in the sea off the coast of Djibouti is very diverse and species-rich. Whale sharks can be seen off the coast and stop by on their hikes. These venture quite close to the coast and are very popular with divers there.
Economy
What is grown in Djibouti?
Agriculture is almost impossible in Djibouti due to the hot temperatures and the desert climate. Only nine percent of the entire land can be used for growing plants. The nomads use the semi-deserts as grazing land for their animals. The cultivation of figs and dates and some coffee works best.
Therefore, Djibouti has to import a lot of food into the country. At the same time, it makes itself dependent on the world market prices of these foods. In order not to remain so dependent, Djibouti has acquired acreage in neighboring countries in order to be able to grow its own products here.
Major ports
The sea route from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and thus the Indian Ocean is of great importance for trade and economy. This strait is called Bab el-Mandeb and is very narrow. Many ships that transport oil have to pass through this narrow waterway.
The port is therefore of great importance for the economy. It is planned to develop Djibouti into an important trading center between Africa and the Middle East and to further promote the ports. These ports are also very important for the economy of Ethiopia, the neighboring country of Djibouti. New ports are under construction
A railway line that runs from Djibouti to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is also economically important. Ethiopia, which does not have its own port, can handle goods here.
Salt and services
Djibouti is the recovered from the salt lakes salt. Besides the salt deposits, there are only a few natural resources in Djibouti. There is hardly any industry and when it does, it is mostly smaller companies that process food and textiles in smaller quantities.
Services are of the greatest importance to Djibouti’s economy, and this is where most of the money flows. These are above all the areas of administration, ports and transport. The military bases of the USA and the French as well as Japan are added as a source of income. Due to the comparatively politically stable situation of Djibouti, many banks and financial institutions have also settled in the small state.
As a politically stable country, Djibouti has high hopes for the expansion of theTourism. Tourists should especially be lured to the beaches with the many beautiful diving opportunities. Or in the desert and mountain landscapes for hiking. At the same time, plans are being made to expand the infrastructure such as the railroad and transport networks.
Djibouti has to import all oil for the energy supply. The entire energy supply in Djibouti is problematic. Despite all efforts, Djibouti is still one of the most backward and at the same time poorest countries in the world.
Eating in Djibouti
What do you eat in Djibouti?
As a country located in Africa according to physicscat, Djibouti’s cuisine is similar to that of Ethiopia. But above all the influence of the former colonial France is evident in the dishes. There are also influences from Arabia, Vietnam and China.
Because it can get really hot here, people like to eat stews, mostly made from goat or mutton. There are usually hot spices, also because of the heat. In most parts of Djibouti, halal is cooked, i.e. pork is completely avoided. Most of the people in Djibouti are of Muslim faith.
Since Djibouti is by the sea, there is of course a lot of fish here, especially on the coast. Sardines and snapper – a type of fish – are very popular. The fish is grilled or baked and given hot spices. Crabs and crayfish that are fished from the sea are also given a spicy sauce and thus come on the table.
In Djibouti, very little can be grown due to the dry climate. Exceptions are dates and figs, which also appear in the home kitchen. Meat dishes are common, vegetable dishes less, since vegetables are usually more demanding than the desert soils of Djibouti. But you can also buy vegetables in the country’s markets. Most vegetables, however, have to be imported from abroad and are therefore not affordable for every resident.
