The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a country situated in the northeastern part of Africa, known as the Horn of Africa.
It holds a strategic position with close proximity to the Middle East and Europe, facilitating international trade through its access to major regional ports.
Ethiopia shares borders with Sudan to the west, Somalia and Djibouti to the east, Eritrea to the north, and Kenya to the south.
With a land area of about 1,112,000 square kilometers, Ethiopia is approximately the combined size of France and Spain, and five times larger than the United Kingdom and it is home to a population of approximately 113.5 million people as of 2022.
This makes Ethiopia the 13th-most populous country globally, the second-most populous in Africa after Nigeria, and the most densely populated landlocked country on Earth.
Ethiopia’s central and northern parts are characterized by the Abyssinian highlands, extending from the north and running through the country’s center.
To the west of this mountainous chain, the land descends into the grasslands of Sudan, while to the east lies the deserts of the Afar region.
South of the capital city, Addis Ababa, the landscape is dominated by the Rift Valley Lakes.
Brief History of Ethiopia
Ethiopia, the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world has a rich history and remarkable landmarks.
The Awash Valley in Ethiopia is home to the oldest remains of a human ancestor ever discovered, dating back around five million years.
This surpasses the famous finding of “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton unearthed in the same region in 1974.
Historical accounts from the fifth century BC by the Greek historian Herodotus mention ancient Ethiopia, while the Old Testament in the Bible records the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem and her encounter with King Solomon.
Legend suggests that the Ethiopian Empire’s founder, King Menelik, was the son of Queen Sheba and Solomon.
Today, remnants of the Queen’s palace can still be seen in Axum, located in the northern province of Tigray.
Axum is also known for its historical sites, including the reputed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, which King Menelik is believed to have brought from Jerusalem.
Christianity arrived in Ethiopia through missionaries from Egypt and Syria in the fourth century. However, the rise of Islam in the seventh century led to Ethiopia’s isolation from European Christianity.
In the 1500s, the Portuguese sought to establish contact with Ethiopia to gain control over the Indian Ocean and convert Ethiopians to Roman Catholicism.
This period saw religious conflicts, culminating in the expulsion of foreign missionaries in the 1630s.
From the 1700s, Ethiopia experienced a lack of centralized power, marked by competition among local rulers during the “Era of the Princes.”
Emperor Tewodros, who emerged in 1869, played a unifying role. He was succeeded by Emperor Yohannes, who built on Tewodros’ efforts and successfully defended Ethiopia against invasions by the Dervish and Sudanese forces.
Emperor Menelik II, reigning from 1889 to 1913, confronted European powers, with Italy posing the greatest threat.
Italy had started colonizing parts of what would become Eritrea in the mid-1880s. In 1896, Ethiopia achieved a momentous victory over Italy in the Battle of Adwa, marking the first successful resistance of an African nation against colonial forces.
In 1916, a Christian nobility deposed Emperor Lij Iyassu due to his Muslim sympathies and made Empress Zewditu, the daughter of King Menelik II, the ruler.
Her cousin, Ras Tafari Makonnen, later known as Haile Selassie, served as regent and eventually became Emperor after Zewditu’s death in 1930.
The Italian invasion in 1936 forced Haile Selassie to seek refuge in the UK. With the help of British forces, he reclaimed his throne after the defeat of the Italians.
Haile Selassie’s reign lasted until 1974 when he was deposed by the Derg, a provisional council of soldiers.
Major Mengistu Haile Mariam assumed power and implemented a totalitarian regime, supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba.
The Derg’s brutal rule, combined with droughts and famine, led to widespread discontent and insurrections across Ethiopia, particularly in Tigray and Eritrea.
In 1991, the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) forces overtook Addis Ababa, forcing Mengistu to flee to Zimbabwe.
In 1991, the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE) was established, leading to a transition towards a multi-party democracy.
Eritrea gained independence through an UN-monitored referendum in 1993. Ethiopia held general elections in 1995, adopting a new constitution and installing Meles Zenawi as Prime Minister and Lieutenant Girma Wolde-Giorgis as President.
Meles served as Prime Minister until his death in 2012, succeeded by Hailemariam Desalegn and later by Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018 and has implemented significant reforms, including democratization, economic liberalization, and peace efforts with Eritrea.
Ethiopia has experienced rapid economic growth, becoming one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
The country’s strategic location provides access to key markets, and recent peace agreements with Eritrea allow for the use of Eritrean ports in addition to Djibouti’s port for international trade.
Climate
Ethiopia experiences two distinct seasons throughout the year. In most parts of the country, the dry season dominates from October to May, with a brief period of rainfall in March. The wet season occurs from June to September.
However, in the Omo and Mago parks located in southern Ethiopia, the seasons follow a different pattern.
The main rainy season takes place from March to June, with shorter rains occurring in November.
Despite Ethiopia’s proximity to the equator (at about 15 degrees north), the country’s high altitude moderates the climate.
The central highlands, where the majority of Ethiopians reside, enjoy a temperate and pleasant climate.
In these highland regions situated above 2,000 meters, temperatures rarely exceed 25°C. However, in lower-lying areas like the Awash, Omo, and Mago parks, which have sub-tropical and tropical climates, temperatures can be significantly hotter.
As the day comes to an end, the temperature tends to drop rapidly, especially during the evening.
Language
Ethiopia is known for its remarkable diversity, which is reflected in its linguistic landscape. The country boasts a rich linguistic heritage with over 80 languages and over 200 dialects.
While the official language of Ethiopia is Amharic or Amharigna, the government promotes the teaching of local languages in schools.
The working languages used in national and regional governments may vary depending on the specific regions.
Other prominent languages spoken in Ethiopia include Oromigna and Tigrigna, which enjoy widespread usage.
Population
Ethiopia is a vibrant country with a population of approximately 110.14 million, representing a fascinating blend of ancient cultures from the Middle East and Africa.
The diverse ethnic and linguistic composition of the Ethiopian people reflects the rich tapestry of Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic, and Nilotic groups.
With around eighty nationalities, the Amhara and Oromo communities form the majority, accounting for about 60 percent of the total population.
The majority of Ethiopians, approximately 85 percent, reside in rural areas. The country experiences an annual population growth rate of about 3.09 percent, and about 50 percent of the total population falls within the economically active age range of 14 to 60.
Also read: Abuna Yemata Guh, A Glimpse into Ethiopia’s Unique and Inaccessible Place of Worship
Interesting Facts About Ethiopia
1. The Danakil Depression: Ethiopia is home to the Danakil Depression, the lowest point on the African continent.
2. The Hottest Place on Earth: The Danakil Depression is known as the hottest place on Earth, with an average year-round temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius.
3. Unique Calendar: Ethiopia follows its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, meaning that the country is currently in the year 2012 according to the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian New Year usually falls on September 11 or 12.
4. Ethiopian Time: In addition to its unique calendar, Ethiopia also has its own time system. The Ethiopian clock starts at sunrise, with 1 o’clock corresponding to sunrise and 12 o’clock to sunset. They also use a 12-hour night clock.
5. Birthplace of Coffee: Ethiopia is believed to be the birthplace of coffee. According to legend, a goat herder discovered the energizing effects of coffee when his goats consumed the berries from a certain tree. This led to the development of coffee as a popular drink.
6. Abebe Bikila: Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian athlete, made history by becoming the first black African to win a gold medal at the Olympics. He achieved this feat in the marathon event at the 1960 Rome Olympics, running barefoot and setting a world record.
7. Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, holds several distinctions. It is the highest capital city in Africa, situated at an elevation of 2,355 meters above sea level.
8. Vegetarian Cuisine: Ethiopia is a great destination for vegetarian travelers. Many Ethiopians follow Orthodox Christianity, which restricts the consumption of animal products on Wednesdays and Fridays.
9. Independence from Colonization: Ethiopia is one of the few African countries that have never been colonized by European powers. Although Italy occupied Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941, the Ethiopian people continued to resist, and the country was never fully under Italian control.
10. Linguistic Diversity: Ethiopia is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with over 80 languages spoken across its regions. As of 2020, the country has five official working languages: Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali, and Afar. English is also widely spoken, particularly in educational institutions where classes are conducted in English
