About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country located in the North Eastern part of Africa in the Region of Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It is an old nation having a long history of more than 3000 years. This is evidenced by the prevalence of centuries old monuments, buildings, churches, monasteries and mosques, which are quaint and unique. Ethiopia is also known as being the cradle of humankind – the world’s earliest known hominid ‘Lucy’ or ‘Dinknesh’ meaning “thou art wonderful” discovered in 1974 believed to be our common ancestor. This important archeological finding combined with many other prehistoric discoveries including the Stone Age tools up to 1.7 million years old and vibrant cave paintings bears testimony to Ethiopia’s remarkable antiquity. Ethiopia’s history is woven with fascinating facts and legends: the visit of Ethiopia’s Queen of Sheba (Makida as known locally) to Israel to meet King Solomon, the journey of the Ark of the Covenant which is now rested in Axum and the Axumite Kingdom and much more are of great interest to the discerning traveler.

Ethiopia is a beautiful country endowed with contrasting nature. From snow caped Semien Mountains (4th highest peak in Africa) to the Denakil Depression (120 mts below sea level). While traveling in the country, you will discover a beautiful and magnificent scenery, a variety of landscapes – green valleys, bottomless abyss, fertile plateaus, rugged terrains, natural forests, lakes and steams, waterfalls (where the Blue Nile Fall is one of the greatest attractions) caves and truly Wild National Parks – sheltering 277 mammal species, of which 6 are endemic to Ethiopia. Because of the fact that Ethiopia has a number of diverse habitats, there is unbelievably vast number of bird species amounting to 862 from which 16 are endemic. And of the ten bird families endemic to the African main land, 8 are represented in Ethiopia. This really makes Ethiopia the birdwatchers’ paradise.

Having an immense cultural wealth, Ethiopia is known as a country of mosaic of cultures. 83 languages and 200 dialects are spoken throughout the country. You find harmony in diversity among the peoples of Ethiopia – all having their own ways of clothing, hair styles, songs, dances and arts, all unique in their own way. In addition, they have unique faith, food calendar way of time counting and unique alphabet.

The festivals of Ethiopia are also colorful, fascinating and are all year round. Both traditional and religious festivals are celebrated by its diverse ethnic groups with their picturesque native lives in their most rustic settings. To mention a few – Meskel (the celebration of the finding of the true cross held every September 27th) and Timket (the Ethiopian Epiphany held ever January 19th). The other colorful and engaging cultural phenomena are the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, held either in individual homes or hotels that makes your visit to Ethiopia unforgettable.

Land
Ethiopia covers an area more than the size of France and Spain combined and nearly twice the size of Texas. About 65 percent of the land is arable, with 15 percent presently cultivated.

Climate
There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May, the wet season runs from June to September.

Topography
Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height betwee2000 and 3000 meters. In the north and center of the country there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4000 meters.
The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile (or Abay), which runs a distance of 1450 kilometers from the source in Lake Tana, to join the White Nile at Khartoum

Economy
About 90 percent of the populations earn their living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers.
Agriculture is the Backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. There is also a thriving livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof and hides and skins.

Language
Ethiopia is a multi ethnic state with a great variety of Languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic Afan Oromo and Tigrigna. English is also widely spoken

Population
Seventy million where almost half is less than 15 years of age.

Time
Ethiopia is in the GMT+3 hours time zone. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar. Principal religion is Christianity and Islam.

Electricity
380 / 220 Volts

Main Cities
Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Adama (Nazareth), Gonder, Dessie, Mekele, Bahir Dar, Jimma, Harar and Awasa.

Communication
Telephone, Mobile phones, fax, internet are available in all major cities of the country.

Language Tips (Some English – Amharic)

Meeting and greeting

Restaurants/Shops/Hotels