Everything you need to know about Ethiopia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Ethiopia: Abyssinian Country and among Africa's Oldest Civilization

Ethiopia has a proud and long history extending to the known beginnings of humankind. The classical civilisation of Ethiopia finds its mention in the Iliad and in the Odyssey. Ethiopia earlier known as Abyssinia derives its name from Habesh, an early Arabic form of the Ethiosemitic name. Ethiopia is unique among African countries because the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupations during World War II. In 1974, a military junta overthrew the Emperor Haile Selassie and made Ethiopia a socialist state. The socialist regime was overthrown in 1991 by rebel forces. Finally the Ethiopian constitution was adopted in 1994 that cleared the way for multi party election held in 1995. A decade long border treaty with Eritrea finally came to halt in 2000 following a peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea. However the peace couldn't last long and both fell into active conflict again over their long-standing border dispute.

Ethiopia Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures:

• National Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Capital: Addis Ababa
• Total area : 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
• Population: 85.2 million (UN, 2008)

• Currency : Birr
• Languages: Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools) (1994 census)
• Ethnicity/ Races: Oromo 32.1%, Amara 30.1%, Tigraway 6.2%, Somalie 5.9%, Guragie 4.3%, Sidama 3.5%, Welaita 2.4%, other 15.4% (1994 census)

• Religion: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 50.6%, Protestant 10.2%), Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8% (1994 census)
• GDP (Per Capita): $700 (2007 est.)
• Life Expectancy: Male: 52.54 Years, Female: 57.51 Years (2008est.)

•  Literacy: Male: 50.3%, Female: 35.1% (2003 est.)

Geography and Climate of Ethiopia:

Most part of Ethiopia is situated on the Horn of Africa, which is the eastern-most part of the African continent. Ethiopia is bordered by Sudan to the west, Djibouti and Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the east, and Kenya to the south. Within Ethiopia is a massive highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by the Great Rift Valley. The Great Rift Valley divides the highland of mountains and plateaus.

The geographical location gives cool, temperate and hot types of climate in Ethiopia. The normal rainy season of Ethiopia is from mid-June to mid-September. Intermittent showers from February or March precede this rainy season and the rest of the year remains dry.

Culture and Cuisine of Ethiopia:

The roots of Ethiopian culture lie in ancient Aksum, one of the greatest kingdoms of African history. During the fourth century, the Emperor of Aksum converted to Christianity. The expansion of the country has brought more Muslim groups into the population.

Injera is the staple food of Ethiopia. Ethiopian cuisine is one of the world's best kept secrets.  Ethiopian food is based on spicy mix of vegetables, slow-simmered meat or grain stews, and fresh meat sautés. Essential components of Ethiopian cooking are berbere (spicy red pepper paste), niter kibbeh(a spice-infused clarified butter) and injera. 

Tourist Attractions in Ethiopia:

The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazing and provides stunning vistas for the visitors. The composition of rugged mountains, miles stretched savannah, lakes and rivers provides magnificent vistas that charms the nature seekers. The Simien Mountain National Park is meant for daring adventurers who have the courage to encounter raw and wildness of nature. The lush green vegetation with wild beasts roaming is the extreme place to experience the joy of nature.

The Sof Omar Cave is one of the most spectacular and extensive underground cave system in the world. Formed by the Wabi River, as it changed its course in the distant past and carved out a new channel through limestone s. This cave has now become an important Islamic Shrine that was named after the saintly Shekh Sof Omar.

Other Tourist Sites in Ethiopia include:

• The Simien Mountain National Park
• The Blue Nile Falls (Tisisat Falls)
• The Lake Tana
• The Sof Omar Cave
• Addis Ababa