Country Guide • Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the horn of North East Africa. It is bound by Sudan to the west and northwest, Kenya to the south, Somalia to the east and southeast, Djibouti to the east and the Eritrea to the northeast. Geographically, the country consists of rugged mountains and isolated valleys.
| Official Name | Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,127,127km² (435,184mile²) |
| Population | 66,557,000 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 153 |
| Capital City | Addis Ababa |
| Religions | 53% Ethiopian Orthodox, 31% Muslims, 11% follow local native tribal beliefs |
| Language | Amharic is the official language but English, Orominga, Tigrigna and over 70 languages are spoken |
| Government | Federal Republic |
| Currency | Birr |
| GDP | $50.6 billion |
| GDP per Head | $750 |
| Natural Resources | Copper, gold, platinum, potash and natural gas |
| Land Use | Arable Land 10% |
| Agriculture | Cereals, coffee, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, livestock and skins |
| Industry | Agriculture, forestry, agricultural and metal processing |
| Tourism | Ethiopia doesn't attract many tourists and as such doesn't have much of an infrastructure for tourists either. That being said the landscapes are great, the people are nice and it won't cost you the earth whatever you do. Just exploring the mountains and countryside or perhaps taking on a bit of bird watching since the bird life in Ethiopia is said to be spectacular |
| Natural Hazards | Earthquakes, volcanoes and frequent droughts |
| Health Risks | Bilharzia (schistosomiasis), contaminated drinking water, AIDS, malaria, parasites, land mines. Yellow fever vaccinations are compulsory |
| Climate | Ethiopia has a tropical climate but it is cooler than normal because of the altitude It has a distinct rainy season from April to September with annual rainfall averages of more than 40 inches. Average maximum temperature in Addis Ababa are 21 to 25 Celsius. There is however semi desert in the north east and south east lowlands where the rainfall is less than 20 inches a year |
| Time | GMT/UTC+3 hours |
| National Days | May 28 |
| Visas | Everyone except Kenyan nationals needs a visa. Although foreign nationals flying into Ethiopia for tourism purposes may obtain visas at the airport on arrival, not all airlines are aware of this at present and it may be best to apply before departing. A Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate is an entry requirement for all visitors over the age of one year |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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