About Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. It is the only African country never colonized.
Ethiopia is almost twice the size of Texas and has a population of over 85,000,000.
Over 80 languages are spoken in Ethiopia; the official language, Amharic, is derived from Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language dating to the 5th century, BC.
Ethiopians are customarily referred to by first name only; their second name being their father's first name.
The Ethiopian calendar has 12 months of 30 days each and one month of five days. The Ethiopian calendar is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar.
Coffee was "discovered" in Ethiopia by a young shepherd named "Kaldi" who noticed how his goats became energized after eating a certain berry. Today, Ethiopia’s chief export is coffee.
Ethiopian cuisine consists of a variety of vegetable and meat dishes, often a thick stew, served on top of injera - a sourdough flatbread. Utensils are generally not used; the injera is used to scoop up the food.
Why Ethiopia is a great place to visit
Most of Ethiopia is located at elevations of 5,000 - 8,000 feet above sea level so its predominant climate is cooler than other countries with similar proximity to the Equator.
Ethiopia has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and in fact, any other African nation.
Overcoming Ethiopia's Image
The name “Ethiopia” often evokes images of extreme poverty and disease. But as we hope you will see, this ancient country also has much to offer. Its people are determined, resourceful, and gracious: traits that top Ethiopian athletes often display in marathons around the world.
With a population of well over 80 million, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa (after Nigeria). The vast majority of Ethiopians live in rural areas or small towns; Addis Ababa is the only true major city which is remarkable given the population. An Amhara, a nomadic Afar, a Mursi of the southern people, or a Gambella, all are very much Ethiopian, but each ethnic group is quite distinct in appearance, language, and culture. The major ethnic groups are the Oromo, predominantly in the south, the Amhara and Tigrai from the central and northern highlands, the Somali, the Sidamo, the Gurage, and numerous smaller groups. Over 80 languages are spoken with Amharic as the official state language. Even with this wide diversity, the Ethiopians show a degree of tolerance and acceptance towards other cultures that much of the world would do well to emulate.
While the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Islam are dominant, traditional religions and evangelical Christians make up significant minorities. Christianity came to Ethiopia in the fourth century and has flourished ever since. The majority of the population are Orthodox Christians and about 40% are Muslim. Throughout Ethiopia's history, the two faiths have coexisted peacefully. It is not uncommon to hear the Islamic call to prayer emanating from a mosque's minaret and then an hour later hear the prayers from a Christian church on the same street. There is also a strong Judaic influence throughout the country, although nearly all of the country's Jews have emigrated to Israel.
Ethiopians from all walks of life are extremely hospitable and welcoming, and although you may receive additional attention as a foreigner, this is almost always due to a genuine curiosity about you and your homeland.
With a landscape that ranges from rain forests to grassy savannas, mountains to deserts, Ethiopia boasts scenery that is as diverse and fascinating as its people. Splitting the country in two, the Great Rift Valley provides breath-taking views that rival that of the Grand Canyon. At 4,620 meters (15,157 feet) above sea level, Ras Dashen is the fourth highest peak in Africa while the Danakil Depression is the lowest (410 feet below sea level). Near Lake Tana, the Blue Nile begins its voyage to Egypt while a string of Rift Valley lakes and rivers belie Ethiopia's image as dry and parched land. Deserts are an important part of Ethiopia's ecosystem, but so are its indigenous forests which are the most extensive in all of east Africa. This variety of habitat has resulted in an impressive array of wildlife with over 850 species of birds, many extremely beautiful and exotic. (Pictured above: Tis Abay on the Blue Nile, just south of Lake Tana.)
Visiting a Developing Nation
As unique and fascinating a destination as Ethiopia may be, it remains very much a developing nation. The country has made tremendous strides in the past decade to alleviate poverty and has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, visitors should be aware that the tourism infrastructure, while also making great strides, is also still developing. While we will do our best to make your trip as comfortable as possible, please understand that Ethiopia generally does not have the same standard of amenities that you might expect in Europe, the U.S., Japan, or more economically developed countries.
However, you can certainly expect a unique and very hospitable experience. Imagine a country without a single McDonalds or any other western food chain. In a world that seems increasingly homogenized, Ethiopia retains its unique character, and we are certain that your experience here will be a memorable one.
Get more information on what to expect regarding meals and accommodations.