GEOGRAPHY: Ethiopia is
located in the horn of Africa. It has a surface area of
1,112,000 square kilometres. It borders with Kenya to the south,
Sudan to the west, Eritrea to the north, Somalia and Djibouti to
the east. The landscape of the Country is rugged topography.
Altitude ranges from highest peaks of 4600 m above sea level in
the Semien Mountains to lowest points such as the Dallol
Depression (148 m below sea level).The main rivers are the Blue
Nile, the Tekezze, the Awash, the Wabe Shebele, the Omo and the
Baro. Ethiopia has more than 10 river basins and for this it is
famously called "the water tower of East Africa." The Great Rift
Valley crosses the country from north to South dividing it in to
two. Since Ethiopia is located from 3oN – 15oN of the equator
and 33o - 48o east of the Green which Meridian, the highland
areas of the Country (mostly north and central) enjoy a
temperate climate while the low lands (mostly east) naturally
have a tropical climate. The average temperature is 20 degree
Celsius. The Country has two seasons. The dry season runs from
October to May. The rainy season prevails from June to
September. A lesser amount of rainfall occurs from February to
March. The average rainfall is 250 millimeters.
GOVERNMENT: Ethiopia has a
federal state structure, which comprises of 9 Autonomous
Regional States and two Chartered Cities. The president is the
Head of state while the Prime Minister is the Head of
Government. Regional States are administrated by chiefs elected
by the regional councils of Parliament. The country follows a
parliamentarian form of government and has two houses: the House
of People's Representatives members of which are directly
elected by the people for a 5 year term and the House of
Federation Composed of members elected by the Regional Councils.
ECONOMY: Ethiopia is predominantly Agrarian Economy. Agriculture
contributes 40% and 90% to GDP and foreign exchange earnings,
respectively. The country is the 10th largest in the world in
terms of Livestock resources. It is also rich in minerals. Major
export items include Coffee, Pulses, Oil seeds, Vegetables,
Leather and Leather products and Cut Flower.
POPULATION: The population of
Ethiopia, according to the recent census, is 77 million and 85%
of it lives in rural areas. Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic nation
with more than 80 languages different lifestyles, costumes and
cultural dances. Amharic is the official language and other
major languages include Oromifa and Tigrigna. The predominant
Religions are Christianity and Islam.
LANGUAGE: Amharic is the
official language, although over 80 local languages are also
spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as well as some
French and Italian.
CALENDARS AND TIME: Ethiopia
follows Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months of
thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days sometimes
six days in leap year. The calendar is seven years and eight
months behind the western Gregorian calendar. Ethiopia is 3
hours ahead of GMT (GMT+3). Days and Nights have same length.
Counting starts at Western 6a.m. and 6p.m. 7a.m. is therefore
one o'clock and 1 p.m. is 7 o'clock.
ETHIOPIAN ALPHABET: Ethiopia is
the only country in Africa that has its own Alphabet.
ATTRACTIONS: Ethiopia has
many heritages including the eight natural and historical
wonders registered in the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. The
ten National Parks and 4 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the country
provide shelter to the different species of Birds and Wildlife
among which 31 mammals and 17 Birds species are endemic. The omo
valley tribes also the other untouched tourist attractions of
the country. There are also many appealing natural scenery and
active volcanoes in afar region. |
