The Gulf of Tadjoura ( Somali : Gacanka Tajuura ; Arabic : خليج تدجورا ) is a gulf or basin of the Indian Ocean in the Horn of Africa . It lies south of the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb , or the entrance to the Red Sea , at 11°42′N 43°00′E / 11.7°N 43.0°E / 11.7; 43.0 . The gulf has many fishing grounds, extensive coral reefs , and abundant pearl oysters . Most of its coastline is the territory of Djibouti , except for a short stretch on the southern shore, which is part of the territory of Somaliland .
20-699: The Goda Mountains lie northwest of the Gulf of Tadjoura , Tadjoura Region in Djibouti . They rise to 1,750 metres (5,740 ft) above sea level and are the nation's largest heavily vegetated area and is the second highest point in Djibouti . The name Goda in Afar means "twisted" or "devoured" and refers to a ridge . A part of the mountains is protected within the Day Forest National Park , Djibouti's only national park. The ecology of this landform
40-479: A number of ferry lines which connect the following ports: Djibouti City , Tadjoura and Obock . Moucha Island Moucha Island is a small coral island off the coast of Djibouti . It is located at the center of the Gulf of Tadjoura . The island is part of the Djibouti Region ; the island has a total population of about 20 inhabitants, which increases considerably during the summer. The island
60-454: A plain surrounded by mountains and to its distance to the sea and its effects. In the presence of fog, condensation is sometimes considerable. Ground moisture allows plants and trees to survive despite irregular rainfall. Elevation is the major factor affecting temperature levels, with the higher elevated areas being on average 11°C (20°F) cooler than the lower areas. Overnight temperatures can drop as low as 50–54 °F (10–12.2 °C), especially during
80-400: A tree nursery in the village Day is just one of the efforts the organization has made to help combat the further depletion of the forest. The climate of Goda Mountains is a subtropical highland climate ( Köppen climate classification : Cwb ), with the influence of mountain climate , with hot and dry summers and cold winters. This is attributed to the fact that Goda Mountains is located on
100-549: Is considered an isolated outlier of the Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands ecoregion, an important island of forest in a sea of semi-desert . The Goda Mountains and the nearby Mabla Mountains are the last remaining refuge for the Djibouti spurfowl . It is also one of the few remaining habitats of the East African juniper , which was once the dominant tree species of the forest. The population of juniper trees in
120-732: The December to March winter months. Gulf of Tadjoura The Gulf’s other marine habitats include sea grass beds, salt pans and mangroves . In August 1840, the conclusion of a treaty of friendship and commerce between the Sultan Mohammed bin Mohammed of Tadjoura and Commander Robert Moresby of the Indian Navy is tracking the sale of Moucha Island to Great Britain for ten sacks of rice. The sale will however follow any occupation. In 1887, Britain cedes sovereignty of
140-524: The Djibouti's mainland It enjoys significantly more sunny days and high temperatures throughout the year. Featuring an arid climate (Köppen: BWh), temperatures range from very warm during the months of December, January and February, to extremely hot in July. There are two seasons: a summer dry season from May to October and a relatively cool season from November to April ( winter ). The economy of Moucha
160-525: The Djiboutian shore. The most significant towns and cities along both the Djiboutian and Somali sides of the Gulf of Tadjoura The Gulf of Tadjoura is one of the major tourist attractions for Djibouti, believed to be a perfect place for snorkelling with whale sharks, diving and underwater photography. There are two important towns on the gulf: Obock, where Afar and Somali sultans had sold settlement rights to
180-593: The French sphere of influence in the Gulf of Tadjoura, in exchange for the abandonment by France of any right in Zeila and the neighboring Sa'ad ad-Din Islands . In 1900, a quarantine station was built to accommodate persons in health quarantine, but it was ultimately not used for lack of available medical personnel. The islands were used by Henry de Monfreid in 1914 as a weapons cache to try to sell smuggled arms. After
200-414: The French, and Tadjoura, which houses seven important mosques and offers magnificent views from the sea. Tadjoura is beautifully surrounded by the green Goda Mountains . The hills of this mountain are 1,700 metres (5,600 ft). Due to coral reefs, the Gulf of Tadjoura is a heaven for divers and snorkelers. It attracts 40% of foreign tourists visiting Djibouti. Passenger transport on the gulf includes
220-424: The Gulf of Tadjoura is diverse, and entirely unique due to the gulf's geographic distribution. The Gulf of Tadjoura has hosted some of the most magnificent marine fauna and flora, some of which are near extinction or at serious environmental risk. From corals, to dugongs , Gulf of Tadjoura is a diverse cradle for many species who depend on each other for survival. The Gulf of Tadjoura is far more densely populated on
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#1732781187892240-531: The Gulf to Lake Assal , which is now about 155 meters below sea level The limits of the Gulf of Tadjoura as follows: The Gulf of Tadjoura is home to many small islands. Geographically the biggest island in the Gulf of Tadjoura is Moucha Island . The Gulf of Tadjoura islands are often also historically significant, having been used in the past by colonial powers such as the French and the British in their trade or as acquisitions for their empires. The wildlife of
260-463: The area has sharply declined, with approximately 50% of the trees dying even in the healthiest regions. Instead, boxwood has become more common. Subsequently, the antelope population is seeing a rapid decline, desert warthogs have all but disappeared, and leopards have not been sighted since the 1980s. Climate change is one of the main factors contributing to this loss of species. The Goda Mountains continue to see longer periods of heat and drought in
280-454: The deposit was discovered, a "detachment indigenous guards" was installed on the island and occupancy restricted. This monitoring station was removed in May 1915. Moucha Island is the largest island in Djibouti . Less than 3 km long, Moucha Island's mainland is surrounded by the smaller Maskali Islands , a few islets and a coral reef . It lies approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) south of
300-435: The depth decreasing from the entrance to the gulf to the continent. The coast is mostly sloping; there are abundant sandy dunes, with occasional palm trees. The southern shores are smooth and shallow. At the entrance of the Gulf is the group of small islands of Moucha and Maskali . At the bottom of the Gulf, separated only by a narrow neck of land, Ghoubbet-el-Kharab and Assal (54 km ). Geologically, formerly covered
320-452: The forest from cattle. This initiative has had a visible, positive impact on the condition of the forest. According to the same survey, nearly a quarter of the residents believe that nothing can be done about the damage to the forest, 15% are unsure, 23% believe the wooden fences would further the preservation of the forest, 8% suggest the planting of trees, and 29% believe in a combination of both tree planting and fencing. The establishment of
340-467: The island to France at the same time it recognizes the French sphere of influence in the Gulf of Tadjoura, in exchange for the abandonment by France of any right in Zeila and the neighboring islands. The area of the gulf is 347 km (900 sq mi). The length (from the Sagallo to Obock ) is 64 km (40 mi) and the width varies from 26 km (16 mi).The gulf is relatively shallow with
360-440: The region, compounded by grazing (especially of seedlings) and trampling by cattle. Hunting and the cutting of trees also play a subordinate role. The inhabitants of the nine surrounding villages consists of five different clans of the Afar . Once a nomadic population, they now mostly lead sedentary lifestyles. Their pastoral livelihoods are highly dependent on the regularity of rainfall. In 2003, wells with pumps were introduced to
380-429: The village to ensure a consistent, though limited water supply. The cutting of live trees for firewood is traditionally prohibited; thus only dead wood may be used. Drought is largely held responsible for the forest degradation , with only 4% attributing this to cattle grazing. With the initiative of the local organization Djibouti Nature, residents have built stone walls and fences out of dead wood to help protect areas of
400-432: Was occupied by Great Britain from 1840 to 1887. In August 1840, the conclusion of a treaty of friendship and commerce between the Sultan Mohammed bin Mohammed of Tadjoura and Commander Robert Moresby of the Indian Navy describes the sale of Moucha Island to Great Britain for ten sacks of rice. The sale is, however, contingent upon occupation. In 1887, Britain ceded sovereignty of the island to France while recognizing
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