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From
the sun-scorched reaches of the Danakil Depression to the shimmering string
of beautiful Rift Valley lakes, Ethiopia is a land of wonder and enchantment.
Ethiopia
is a tourist paradise reflects the diverse
faces of the country’s cultures, landscapes, and wildlife.
Ethiopia is the epitome of the entire sub-Sahara ecosystem
where rare indigenous animals roam free, birdlife abounds and colorful
wild flowers and native plants carpet the land.
Ethiopia is a nation comprised of more than 80 different ethnic groups,
the heritage and traditions of each blending to form a unique and
colorful
mosaic.
Ethiopia is old beyond imagination, dating to the very beginning of mankind.
It is also the land of the Queen of Sheba, a place of legendary rulers,
fabulous kingdoms and ancient mysteries.
Ethiopia is located in the Northeastern part of
Africa, popularly known as the Horn. Ethiopia is bounded on the east by
Djibouti and Somalia, on the north and northeast by Eritrea, on the south
by Kenya and on the west by the Sudan.
Independent for three millennium, Ethiopia has survived dynamic historic
changes and is the birthstone of great endogenous civilizations.
Today's Ethiopia was once in control over the entire East African territory.
At that time it was a world-famous influential powerhouse with absolute
control over the Red Sea, Indian Ocean trade routes and South Arabian countries.
Ethiopia is a country of variety, extremes, uniqueness, freedom, colorful
culture, religions, legends, natural beauty and much more. On the map of
East Africa, Ethiopia is easily found in the area called the horn of Africa.
Covering a total area of 1,112,000 sq. km., Ethiopia shares boundaries with
Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea.
Ethiopia ranks second in Africa for population size. With close to 70 million
people, Ethiopia hosts about 80 different tribal groups, all of which speak
different languages and have their own cultural codes.
The cultural variety, which is a result of immense tribal differences, can
be seen among the individual tribes. Rich in culture and a variety of dialects,
Ethiopia prides itself on being the only nation in Africa to have its own
language (Amharic) and alphabet (Ge'ez).
Ethiopia was the first country to build a Christian church on African soil.
Christianity crossed the border in the 4th Century AD during the time of
the Axumite kingdom. Even now this church shelters the original Ark of the
Covenant brought from Israel by King Menelik I of Ethiopia. It is found
in the town of Axum in northern Ethiopia. In addition it is here that the
famous pre-Axumite obelisks stand.
It is believed that the erection of these
obelisks dates back to 300-200 BC. The tallest (33m) has fallen down; the
second (27m) was stolen but the third (23m) still stands. These structures
are the tallest on earth to be carved out of a single rock.
Ethiopia is considered to be the original home of humankind. The 1974 discovery
of Lucy, locally called Dinkinesh (meaning “you are special”), asserts this
as true.
The 12th-century town of Lalibela, located in north-west Ethiopia, has been
home to the extraordinarily carved rock-hewn churches since the reign of
King Lalibela (1181-1221 AD). These eleven rock-hewn churches are sometimes
referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
Gondar, the town of castles and the 17th century Ethiopian capital, has
great historical significance. It was here that King Fasiladas relocated
the former capital. The best example of a medieval-period church is that
of Debre Berhan Selassie, which adds to Gondar's charm.
Southwards, the Rift Valley system is another wondrous region where many
other attractions are sited. The six or seven Rift Valley crater lakes are
home to a large number of bird and marine life. They are also a paradise
for nature and water lovers. National parks with their exotic birds, animals
and plant life add to the beauty of the Rift Valley region. Beautiful landscapes
and natural features are the most enjoyable components of the system. Salt
lakes, active volcano sites and caravan routes still number among Ethiopia's
great attractions in the Rift Valley.
Further south is the Omo Valley with its popular ethnic treasures. This
is where about 50% of Ethiopia's ethnic groups live: the Konso with their
terraced agriculture and rituals; the Mursi with their clay lip plates and
barbarian life style; the Hamer with their bull-jumping ceremony, which
young men must experience in order to qualify for adulthood; and the Karo
with their body painting and adornment. Here unusual traditions such as
dance, music and rituals from birth to marriage and burial are still observed
in their genuine and original forms. |
