With robust Red Sea reefs, a colourful and cosmopolitan capital city, Arab-influenced villages and an interior that’s both an apocalyptic wasteland and a geological wonderland, Djibouti is no ordinary African nation.

Although Djibouti’s north is scattered with mountains and its 350 kilometres of coastline are lined with white sandy beaches and coral reefs, the county is dominated by a desolate volcanic desert. Much of the desert is actually below sea level, and Lac Assal ranks as the world’s third-lowest point.

Most Djibouti’s lakes are saline and host incredible crystal formations: Lac Assal’s shore is carpeted with spheres of halite and angular gypsum; while Lac Abbe has towering deposits of travertine.

Due to the lack of natural resources and industry, the country’s economy is almost entirely dependent on its capital’s port, which provides transit services for the region and acts as an international transhipment and refuelling centre. Services now account for an amazing 80 percent of gross domestic product. Nevertheless, unemployment still sits around 50 percent and the nation relies heavily on foreign aid.