European colonisation of Southeast Asia tightening Turkish control and eventual shut down of the Eastern Mediterranean gateways into Asia first prompted Portuguese, and later Spanish and Dutch sea voyagers to ship around Africa in search of new trading routes and business opportunities. Niccolò de' Conti arrived in Southeast Asia as the earliest documented European in the early 15th century. By 1498 Vasco da Gama, who had sailed round the Cape of Good Hope, established the first direct sea route from Europe to India. Central among the various plannings was to establish direct and permanent trade of the highly priced spices, that were native to Southeast
Djibouti and the World Bank location has been crucial in shaping its development. Situated in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is bordered by Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, the latter being completely dependent on Djibouti for its maritime exports. Overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the port of Djibouti is one of the most strategic trade facilities connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. Its geographic location, its port and the presence of military bases have contributed to Djibouti's economic growth. However, these have also shaped a model of economic growth which has become unsustainable,