Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Travel Facts

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mountain Country

Population - Located in the horn of Africa, Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country. With over 100 million people, it is the second-most populous. It once had miles of coastline along the Red Sea through the Eritrea region, but it became landlocked when Eritrea won its independence in 1993.

Hiking - So you won’t do much snorkeling in Ethiopia. But if hiking in high altitudes appeals to you, you’re in luck. Some 70% of Africa’s mountains are in Ethiopia, including the Bale and Semian ranges.

It’s one reason the country produces so many world-class distance runners. The mountains are also home to the gelada baboon,

one of several wildlife species unique to Ethiopia.

Religion - Ethiopia was one of the first countries in the world to convert to Christianity, in the 4th century. It’s famous churches in Lalibela

were carved out of solid rock in the 12th and 13th centuries. They attract thousands of visitors each year. Here you can marvel at the above-ground structures and explore the network of tunnels underground.

The legendary Queen of Sheba

is said to have hailed from what is now Ethiopia. But perhaps an even more famous native is “Lucy,”

an early hominid who lived 3.2 million years ago. Lucy’s well-preserved remains were discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. The discovery supported the view of Africa as the place where humans originated.

Fun Fact: Coffee was first discovered in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia.

So each morning, when you sip your cup of joe, remember that you have Ethiopia to thank!

And now...click here to read some facts about Cape Town, South Africa.

and click here for a spectacular picture of an Ethiopian volcano.