The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa is a landlocked nation, which is bounded by Eritrea to the north, Sudan to the west, Kenya to the south, Somalia to the east and Djibouti to the north-east. It is one of the world’s oldest country and 27th largest country, comprising the 2nd highest population of Africa. It is one of the poorest nations of the world. The capital is Addis Ababa.
HISTORY:- Ethiopia is believed to have the oldest human settlement in the world. In 1270, the Solomonic dynasty claimed the region under King Menelik I, who was believed to be the son of the queen of Sheba and King of Solomon. The first European contact was set up when the Portuguese started helping the country with its armed forces in 1508. Roman and Byzantine Empires settled bases in the Ethiopian Red Sea ports. Coptic Christianity was introduced and Ethiopia reached its pinnacle. But with the rise of Islam, The country had been isolated. In the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Ethiopia surprisingly defeated Italy and on 26th October 1896 Italy and Ethiopia signed a peace treaty. Ethiopia achieved independence in the same year. Menelik II conquered several regions to expand the territory of Ethiopia. After his death, his daughter Zewditu I was crowned, followed by his cousin, Tafari Makonnen who was crowned in 1930. Following the Italian invasion in 1935, Tafari Makonnen (Haile Selassie) was overthrown and was put into exile. In 1941, the British brought back Haile Selassie, defeating the Italian troops. In 1952, Eritrea became a part of Ethiopia. After the removal of Selassie, one-party communist system was introduced.
GEOGRAPHY:- Ethiopia is located at 8 00 N, 38 00 E in the East of Africa. The total area of the country is 1,127,127 sq km, in which 7,444 sq km consists of the water sources. The landlocked country shares its border with Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. The lowest point is Denakil Depression (-125 m) and the highest point is Ras Dejen (4,533 m). Ethiopia consists of high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley, surrounded by lowlands.
CLIMATE:- There are three climatic zones in Ethiopia:
1. The cooler zone above 2400 meters. The temperature ranges from 32 °to 61 °F.
2. The temperate zone between 1,500 to 2,400 meters. The temperature ranges from 61 to 86 °F
3. The hot zone below 1500 meters. The temperature ranges from 81 to 122 °F.
Apart from the rainy season (June to September) Ethiopia is hot and dry in rest of the year.
1. The cooler zone above 2400 meters. The temperature ranges from 32 °to 61 °F.
2. The temperate zone between 1,500 to 2,400 meters. The temperature ranges from 61 to 86 °F
3. The hot zone below 1500 meters. The temperature ranges from 81 to 122 °F.
Apart from the rainy season (June to September) Ethiopia is hot and dry in rest of the year.
GOVERNMENT:- Ethiopia is a federal parliamentary republic. The constitution was ratified on 8th December 1994 and imposed on 22nd August 1995. The legal system is based on the civil law. The three major governmental branches are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The President is elected by the House of People's Representatives on a six-year term. The council of ministers is selected by the Prime minister on the approval of the House of People's Representatives.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament which is formed of the House of Federation (108 seats), and the House of People's Representatives (547 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Federal Supreme Court.
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement are the major political parties of Ethiopia. Suffrage is universal at 18.
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The President is elected by the House of People's Representatives on a six-year term. The council of ministers is selected by the Prime minister on the approval of the House of People's Representatives.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament which is formed of the House of Federation (108 seats), and the House of People's Representatives (547 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Federal Supreme Court.
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement are the major political parties of Ethiopia. Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Presently Ethiopia is formed of 9 regions and 2 chartered cities.
The regions:- Afar, Amara, Binshangul Gumuz, Gambela Hizboch, Hareri Hizb, Oromiya, Sumale, Tigray, and Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch.
The regions:- Afar, Amara, Binshangul Gumuz, Gambela Hizboch, Hareri Hizb, Oromiya, Sumale, Tigray, and Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch.
Two autonomous cities:- Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.
CULTURE:- Ancient Christian music, Muslim and folk music of Sudan and Somalia influence Ethiopian music. Teddy Afro, Tilahun, Eshete, Asnaketch Worku, Ali Birra, Gigi are some of the famous Ethiopian musicians. Ethiopian cuisine is mostly consisted of vegetable or meat. As instructed in the Islamic, Jewish, and Ethiopian Orthodox Christian believes pork or shellfish is prohibited in the country. Ethiopia has produced some of the world’s best runners.
ECONOMY:- Ethiopian poor economy is mostly based on agriculture, providing 50% of the GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of employment.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $55.07 billion; per capita $700.
Real growth rate: 9.8%.
Inflation: 15.9%.
Unemployment: n.a.
Arable land: 10%.
Agriculture: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish.
Labor force: 27.27 million (1999); agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985).
Industries: Food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement.
Natural resources: Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower.
Budget:
Revenues: $2.947 billion
Expenditures: $3.687 billion (2007 est.)
Revenues: $2.947 billion
Expenditures: $3.687 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 45.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $2.622 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exports: $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds.
Imports: $4.54 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles.
Major trading partners: Djibouti, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, U.S., UK, Italy, India, China (2006).
Monetary unit: Birr
LANGUAGE:- Amharic is the official language. Tigrigna (6.1%), Orominga (31.6%), Guaragigna (3.5%), Somali, Arabic, English, and over 70 others languages are spoken.
CITIES:- The capital Addis Ababa is the largest city. Other major cities are Dire Dawa, Nazret, Gondar, Dessie, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, Jimma, Awassa .
POPULATION:- The estimated population is 76,511,887 with a growth rate of 2.3%.
Density per sq mi: 177
Literacy rate: 43% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 177
Literacy rate: 43% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Oromo 40%
Amhara and Tigrean 32%
Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%
Somali 6%
Afar 4%
Gurage 2%
Other 1%
Oromo 40%
Amhara and Tigrean 32%
Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%
Somali 6%
Afar 4%
Gurage 2%
Other 1%
RELIGION:-
Islam 45%–50%
Ethiopian Orthodox 35%–40%
Animist 12%
Other 3%–8%
Islam 45%–50%
Ethiopian Orthodox 35%–40%
Animist 12%
Other 3%–8%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 36.8 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 14.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 90.24 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.43 years
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 120,000 (2003 est.)
Birth rate: 36.8 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 14.49 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 90.24 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.43 years
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 120,000 (2003 est.)
UNICEF:- UNICEF distributes vitamin A supplementation and de-worming treatments to 9 million children and 260,000 pregnant women, also distributes 3 million insecticide-treated bed nets to eliminate malaria. 15 million children are immunized against polio and 1.2 million children against measles. UNICEF promotes safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation in Ethiopia. School enrolment rates are higher.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 699 km (2006).
Highways: total: 36,469 km; paved: 6,980 km; unpaved: 29,489 km (2004).
Ports and harbors: uses ports of Assab and Massawa in Eritrea and port of Djibouti. Airports: 84 (2007)
Railways: total: 699 km (2006).
Highways: total: 36,469 km; paved: 6,980 km; unpaved: 29,489 km (2004).
Ports and harbors: uses ports of Assab and Massawa in Eritrea and port of Djibouti. Airports: 84 (2007)
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