232: dreaming big in Djibouti

This is an interesting little story. According to today's linked article from the International Herald Tribune, the African nation of Djibouti is experiencing a bout of optimism at the moment. The country may be small, with a population of around half a million people, but it is perfectly positioned - with a port overlooking some of the world's busiest shipping lanes and just a short hop to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. As a result, the country is very attractive to foreign investors at the moment, who see Djibouti as a politically and economically stable 'gateway' to the Horn of Africa - and this in turn is aiding the development of new infrastructure. It's something of a boon for this tiny African nation, and one they must make the most of, now and with the future in mind. (Photo from IHT / NYT.)