Hamadryas Baboon - Djibouti

Lac Assal is only 54 square kilometers in size, but it is the world’s largest salt reserve. The lake has no natural outflow or water loss except through evaporation. This feature makes Lac Assal the world’s most saline lake after Don Juan pond in Antarctica. The saline level of Lac Assal is over 10 times higher than sea water. 

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Papio hamadryas - The hamadryas baboon is the northern most baboon in Africa and is native to the Horn of Africa. Revered by the ancient Egyptians, it is also known as the sacred baboon. There are four levels of social interactions within a hamadryas community. A harem consists of one alpha male and several females. Two or more harems form a clan; usually led by related males. Two to four clans are known as a band; a sleeping or traveling arrangement. Several bands grouping together is known as a troop.

Mauve Stinger - Djibouti

Pelagia noctiluca - The mauve stinger is a common jellyfish found throughout the world. The color of the jellyfish varies by location and ranges from pink to tan. The name noctiluca implies the jelly fish is bioluminescent, able to produce light. The light is produced when the medusa, the top of the jelly fish is stimulated by the actions of the waves. The mauve stinger has eight thin stingers and four lobes descending from the sides and bottom of the medusa. It feeds primarily on zooplankton.

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The Sultanate of Ifat was a medieval state ruling over present day Djibouti from 1285 until 1415. It was succeeded by the Adal Sultanate, reigning from 1415 until 1559. The Adal Sultanate was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire as part of the Eyalet of Egypt. The Ottomans retained control of the area until France took over Djibouti, first as part of French Somalia, and then as the French territory of the Afars and the Issas. Djibouti became an independent state in 1977.