Africa is a vast and resource-rich continent, but most African countries are relatively backward in development. According to the United Nations, most of the world's least developed countries are now located in Africa.
The so-called least developed countries are countries with backward economies and low per capita GDP. This definition first appeared in the 1967 Algiers Charter, and in 1971, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted a resolution designating countries with a per capita GDP of less than $100 as least developed countries.
At that time, the world's least developed countries were mainly located in Africa. In 1981, with the development of the world economy, the United Nations designated countries with a per capita GDP of less than $250 as least developed countries. In 1991, that standard was raised to $600, and in 2015, it was raised to $1,025. However, no matter how the world economy develops and how standards are raised, most of the world's least developed countries are still located in Africa.
For example, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia in Africa are all the world's least developed countries. But Djibouti, surrounded by these countries, has a better economy.
Djibouti is located on the coast of the Gulf of Aden in northeast Africa, bordering Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, with a total area of 23,200 square kilometers and a population of about 1 million.
Djibouti's terrain is predominantly mountainous and plain, with a low average elevation. The plains of Djibouti have a predominantly tropical desert climate, with hot and little rain throughout the year, and most of the area is covered by desert. The mountainous area is a semi-arid steppe zone, which allows for the development of animal husbandry. According to statistics, only 1% of Djibouti's land is suitable for the development of plantation and 9% of the land is suitable for the development of animal husbandry. In addition, in terms of resources, Djibouti mainly has salt, limestone, perlite resources, and no coal, iron, oil and gas resources.
Djibouti lacks resources, poor land and has a weak industrial base, but its per capita GDP has reached 3364 US dollars, which is one of the better developed countries in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Djibouti's per capita GDP is in the forefront. So what's going on here? Why has Djibouti become one of the better developed countries in Africa?
First, the geographical location. Djibouti is strategically located on the western shore of the Gulf of Aden, guarding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean region is a key sea area in the world, and in terms of resources, the coastal region of the Indian Ocean is an important export area of the world's resources. For example, the Persian Gulf region is the world's major oil and gas producer.
In terms of shipping, the Indian Ocean is a shipping artery connecting Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe. Not only the oil resources of the Persian Gulf must be transported to Europe through the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, but also the maritime trade between Asia and Europe must pass through the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea region.
The Indian Ocean and the Red Sea are connected by the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is located between Yemen and Djibouti. Since the opening of the Suez Canal, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has become a choke point for maritime traffic from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
In addition, Djibouti shares a border with Somalia to the south, one of the world's least developed countries, so much so that many Somalis have become pirates, threatening the safety of shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area. Therefore, many countries in the world have built military bases in Djibouti, which is also known as the world barracks. By leasing out the land, Djibouti earns a lot of income.
Second, the port conditions are excellent. Djibouti's coastline is about 372 km long and has a large bay deep inland called Tadjura Bay. Tadjura Bay is about 56 kilometers wide and 80 kilometers long, and a large number of ships can be docked in the bay. Djibouti has three famous ports along the coast of Tajoura Bay, namely Djibouti Port, Obock Port and Tadzirah Port.
The hinterland of these ports is very vast, and although Djibouti is a sparsely populated country, Djibouti borders Ethiopia. With a total area of about 1.1 million square kilometres and a population of about 112 million, Ethiopia is a landlocked country with a vast territory and a large population. As a landlocked country, Ethiopia mainly goes to sea through the port of Djibouti, which has also brought Djibouti substantial economic benefits. Combining these two aspects, Djibouti has become a relatively well-developed country in Africa, despite its lack of resources, poor land and weak industrial base.