Porto Franco (Port Frank)

Djibouti can be bolden by the naval power. Because this miniature African state owns one of the most important ports of the continent. And also because, except the port, it doesn’t own anything own (a couple of tens of thousands of square kilometers of useless desert – not counting).

our may be in Djibouti in three ways. First, he can be a sailor to a vessel flying from Europe to Asia. On the way, such ships often come in Djibouti. Secondly, it can join the French foreign legion (preferably a parachute). Then sooner or later he will be sent to swallow sand on a military base, which France holds in his former colony. Third, the most pleasant way – to buy a ticket to a cruise over the Red Sea.

The Djibouti country practically consists of a city-port of Djibouti. Two thirds of her citizens live here (whom is common half a million) and almost all the money. They are made mainly in foreigners (servicing vessels, French military, direct financial assistance from abroad), however, a monetary unit in Djibouti – Dzhibuti Frank (DFR).

The current low exchange rate of the Dzhibui Frank (162 for US $ 1) can bring to the idea that with finances in the republic not all safely, inflation is likely to be strong, local dennaunations do not enjoy the confidence of the population, and, therefore, a foreigner who has a solid currency, all Djibwy pleasures should get cheap.

In reality, the situation is exactly the opposite. In the city of Djibouti (especially in the part of his part, which directly adjacent to the port) Traders are ready to accept a foreign currency fee. But exclusively french francs. Full dollars, Doychmark and pounds sterling them interest very little. At the same time, even francs of the former metropolis take not at the official rate (approximately DFR28.5 for FFR1), and "contractual". And how much do neither negotiate with the merchant, the course will always be understated to the detriment of a foreigner.

By themselves, local prices of visitors are also not pleased. Djibouti, in all world (and even more so – African) standards, dear country. Suffice to say that the collection levied with flying at Djibouti Airport is not average US $ 10-15, but a whole US $ 30.

Although the sources of the revenues of the republic are limited, and expenses are diverse (there is practically no fertile land, nor industry: everything you need to be taken out from abroad), the financial system of Djibouti works to envy stable. There is no noticeable inflation and artificial restrictions on operations with local currency (in particular it is allowed to import and export in any quantities). Therefore, there is no "Black market".

The easiest and most convenient way to exchange money in Djibouti is to act officially. Permits for such operations have two types of institutions: banks and private exchange offices. The first in the city of Djibouti is grouped around the central Place Place Lagarde. The latter concentrated on Place Menelik. The exchange rate in them is practically no different. But for visits, small private traders are still more convenient for two reasons. They work all day (and banks are only until noon). In addition, changer shops take not only French francs and dollars, but also the little-known currencies of neighboring countries to which bank clerks will not want to even touch. If you make a Krasnoarsk cruise and from previous yields in the ports you have left extra Egyptian pounds or Jordanian dinars, on Place Menelik, these useless papers can be transformed again into real money.

French francs change back in urban hotels. Formally, hotels do not have rights, but the police, of course, does not come to mind to pay attention to such small deviations from the letter of the law. Hotel exchange rates are unfavorable for foreigners.

For the city’s facility to change money almost no. For different reasons. At the international airport of the exchange office there is simply because it is not. In the northern half of the country, there are more serious problems – political.

The population of the country shares approximately in half on Afarov and Issa. In 1991, a long-term deaf enheament between two peoples took an explicit form. And one Afraire radical group took control of the north of the country (which is not very difficult: this lifeless mountainous terrain can control any, there would be a desire to sit there).

The villages on the coast of the North are subject to the Central Government. But foreigners have ceased to appear there, and for their lack of exchange business died.