Ethiopia At A Glance

Ethiopia is a noteable East African travel destination for its unique offer of multitiude of experiences with in a single trip. It is a country more than 3000years old rich history, home of the oldest hominid ever discovered in the entire world; a home of more than 83 tribes with adorable and complex multiple cultures; diversity of flora and fauna inhabiting so many mammals and bird including 7 endemic mammals and 16 birds. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It is a nation with a fusion of religion and culture and place where hospitality and harmony prevails. It is the only African nation that was not colonized, the owner of an ancient written language and recently the host nation for the headquarters of the African Union and the economic commission for Africa (UNCA).

It is a relatively safe nation and remarkable travel destination. There are not too many developing countries that can boast a safety record that matches that of Ethiopia. Ethiopians are known as hospitable people with virtues and morals which are practical in daily activities. This practice is truly based on the content of character, but nonetheless the environment is a great influential factor. Ethiopia is looked as a country where the old way of life still prevails. Ethiopia might seem a modern Tower of Babel! Its ethnic groups speak more than eighty distinct languages and two-hundred regional dialects.

In terms of paleo-archeological history, Ethiopia is a source of fossil remains discovered at a site on the Lower Awash in NE Ethiopia in 1974. The fossils have been identified as the earliest example of an upright walking hominid dated at 3.5 million years of age. These remains constitute our oldest known ancestors, and many now consider this region of Ethiopia to be the true cradle of mankind.

Topography

Terrain characteristics, high plateau with central mountain ranges bisected by the great rift valley- lowest point: Danakil depression - 125m below sea level/ highest point Mount Rasdashen point mount 4620 meters above sea level. Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in highest between 2000 and 3000 meters. In the northern country there are some 25 mountain chains whose peak rises over 4000 meters. The Great African Rift valley system, the only geographical feature can be seen from the moon bisects Ethiopia into two geographical zones.

Facts About Ethiopia : Please find basic Geographic, Demographic, Soico-Political and Economic facts about Ethiopia from CIA database by clicking HERE.

People, Religion and Culture

Ethiopia is home to 83 ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language. According to 1994 census, the most predominant are the Oromo 35%, Amhara 35%, Tigrians 6.5%, and Somali 6%. These groups make up more than three fourths of the population. Major languages are Amharic, Oromo, Tigrigna and Somali. Amharic is the official language and medium of teaching in primary schools. This, however, has replaced with local languages. English is the most popular foreign language and is taught in all secondary schools and tertiary level of education. In addition, Arabic and Italian are used in commerce.

In terms of religion, Ethiopia has a long history of religion that started with the introduction of Christianity in the forth century A.D by Missionaries from Egypt and Syria. Currently there are three major religions including Ethiopian orthodox Christians (45%), Sunni Muslim 45%, Protestant 5% and indigenous beliefs 5%. Culturally, Ethiopia has rich diversity where people have distinctive religion, beliefs and cultural values. Ethiopian arts, literature, painting and music are embellished by multi-ethnic groups, the coffee ceremony and distinct cuisine with exclusively local spices.