Ethiopia – All you need to know

June 13, 2019

The Green Lion

Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa

General Facts

Country Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Capital: Addis Ababa
Area: 1,104,300 sq km
Official languages: Amharic, English, Italian, Arabic
Population: 107.53 million
Time: 03 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3)
Currency: Birr (ETB)
Electricity: 220V/50Hz – ‘C’ and ‘F’ Plug types

Ethiopia is also called as the “Horn of Africa” and it is located at the borders of Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, and Somalia to the east. On its northwest is Sudan, on the west is South Sudan, and on the south you find Kenya. Ethiopia contains about 70% of mountains in the African continent. The last emperor of Ethiopia, Emperor Haile Selassie, is worshipped by Rastafarians as a divine being. In fact, their name Rastafarian comes from Haile Selassie’s birth name, Ras Tafari, which means “Prince Tafari”.

The Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile River, which meets the White Nile River in Sudan to form the Great Nile River. Lake Tana supplies more than 80% of the water to the Great Nile River. The Danakil Depression is one of the lowest points on Africa and is at 116m below sea level. Erta Ale volcano is a lava lake and one among the few which are found in the world. The infamous Great Rift Valley, is said to be visible even from the space. It margins the country from the northeast to the south.

Ethiopian use the Julian calendar which has 12 months of 30 days and also a 13th month which may have 5 or 6 days. It is believed that it is 7 and half years behind the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopians will ring in the year 2012 on 12 September, 2019 (Gregorian calendar). The sunrise marks the beginning of the day and the sunset marks the end of the day.

Why Ethiopia?

Ethiopian Tourism Organization promotes the country as “The Land of Origins” where the Blue Nile begins and also it is the home of the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil named ‘Lucy’, whose discovery has put Ethiopia on the map and it is even called as the cradle of humanity. Also its claim to hold the “Ark of the Covenant” as well as a piece of the “True Cross” on which Jesus was crucified; Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. Visitors are typically greeted with a steaming cup of coffee, which is said to be first discovered in the region of Kaffa in southeast Ethiopia.

Home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other country in Africa, Ethiopia remains one of the only nations in Africa never to be colonized. It was only occupied briefly by the Italians from 1936 to 1941.

What to do, where to go…

Most visitors start their travels from the capital Addis Ababa, a lively city snuggling in the lofty Entoto Mountains. You can spend your time exploring churches and markets in the streets of the city while trying out some of the most famous food too. You can also visit Entoto Mountain and get a panoramic view of the city.

Lalibela, home to 13 rocky churches built in the 12th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited site in Ethiopia. Rising up early and visiting at dawn to see pilgrims and priests pray and chant in a hypnotizing and spiritual setting brings a mere calmness to your spirit and soul.

Gonder, lauded as the Camelot of Africa, this ancient capital is the stuff of legends, thanks to its treasure trove of 16th century palaces, lavish castles, and sprawling gardens.

Simien Mountains National Park is with some of Ethiopia’s highest peaks, the Simien Mountains pack quite a punch when it comes to lofty landscapes. You can spend weeks trekking here and you still won’t see everything in the national park (from troops of gelada monkeys to mountaintop monasteries).

Guassa Conservation area is 98 sq. km conservation area has been protected by the locally community since the 17th century. Here you will find many endemic wildlife like the Gelada baboons and the Ethiopian wolf. On the other hand, it will give you an opportunity to immerse in the culture of the unique Ethiopia that will warmly welcome you.

Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake (and third largest in Africa) has a peaceful and peaceful setting that’s worth visiting to escape from the dusty towns. Its waters are inhabited by small pods of hippopotamus, hundreds of endemic species of birds; and its shores are dotted with over 30 monasteries, some of which feature the best mural art in Ethiopia.

Ultimately, it is Ethiopia’s impressive landscapes that truly capture the imagination of travelers. The highest peak of Ethiopia is Ras Dashen and Danakil Depression is the lowest point in this country at 125m below sea level and the scenery could inspire paintings or provoke poetry to an artistic mind and soul.

The Green Lion

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