Welcome to Djibouti, a small but strategically vital country located at the entrance to the Red Sea. There are around 1 million people living here, and the capital is Djibouti City, a port town where French colonial architecture meets bustling African markets. The official languages are French and Arabic, though Somali and Afar are the most widely spoken mother tongues.

Djibouti covers about 23,200 square kilometers (8,958 square miles). To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about the same size as Israel. Despite its small footprint, it is one of the most important shipping hubs in the world.

The most popular sport is Football, but because of the country’s nomadic roots, Long-distance Running is also very important. Their national animal is the Black-tailed Gazelle, a graceful antelope that can survive in the country’s rugged and dry terrain.

The flag consists of two horizontal stripes of light blue and green with a white triangle on the left containing a red star, where the blue represents the sea and sky, the green stands for the earth, the white symbolizes peace, and the red star represents unity.

The food is a delicious blend of Somali, Afar, and French influences. You must try Skoudehkaris, a rich and spicy lamb stew cooked with rice that is considered the national dish. You will also find plenty of fresh Baguettes in the morning, a lasting influence from the French, often served with spicy lentil stews.

Djibouti is home to some of the most “alien” landscapes on the planet. You can visit Lake Assal, which is the lowest point in Africa and is ten times saltier than the ocean—it’s surrounded by giant white salt pans that look like snow! Another incredible spot is Lake Abbe, where you’ll see hundreds of jagged limestone chimneys belching steam from deep underground, creating a scene so strange it was used to film the original Planet of the Apes. Because of its location, Djibouti is also a world-class spot for Swimming with Whale Sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean that gather in the Gulf of Tadjoura every winter.

From the volcanic plains to the deep blue waters of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, Djibouti is a land of extreme geology and ancient trade. Merci! That means “Thank you!”