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|  | ETHIOPIA COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Ethiopia is situated in northeast Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti. The central area is a vast highland region of volcanic rock forming a watered, temperate zone surrounded by hot, arid, inhospitable desert. Places of interest in the capital, Addis Ababa, include St George's Cathedral, the Menelik Mausoleum and the large market. Aksum, in the north, was the ancient royal capital of the earliest Ethiopian kingdom. It is renowned for multi-storeyed ancient carved granite obelisks and for the church which claims to house the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Also in the north, The Blue Nile Waterfalls are spectacular. National parks include the Simien National Park (in the northern mountains) and the Bale Mountains National Park, on high southern moorland country, which has its own unique flora and fauna. Ethiopian food is based on dishes called we't (meat, chicken or vegetables, cooked in a hot pepper sauce). Local red and dry white wines are worth trying. Talla (Ethiopian beer) has a unique taste. Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender sensitive territory. Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $156 million in 2002, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Under Ethiopia's land tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 2% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns late in 2003 helped agricultural and GDP growth recover in 2004. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Note
Visitors are advised to avoid Tigray and Afar regions at present.
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia's capital is located at an altitude of 2440m (8000ft) in the central highlands. Places of interest include the university, St George's Cathedral, the Ethnology Museum, the Menelik Mausoleum, the Trinity Church, the Old Ghibi Palace and the market, one of the largest in Africa.
Aksum
The ancient royal capital of the earliest Ethiopian kingdom lies in the north of the country. It is renowned for multi-storeyed ancient carved granite obelisks, for important archaeological remains and for the church, which claims to house the Lost Ark of the Covenant.
National Parks
There are nine national parks in Ethiopia: the Simien Mountain National Park (in the northern mountain massif); the Awash National Park (east of the capital); the Omo and Mago National Parks (southwest of the capital); the Shalla-Abijatta Lakes National Park (south of the capital); the Gambella National Park (Ilubabor region); the Nechi Sar National Park (Gambo region); Yangudi-Rassa National Park (Harerge region); and the Bale Mountains National Park, on high southern moorland country, which has its own unique flora and fauna.
Elsewhere
The Blue Nile Falls (also called Tissisat) are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Northern Africa. They are situated about 35km (22 miles) from Bahar Dar. Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from 1632 to 1855 and is the site of many ruined castles. Close by is Lake Tana, on which 37 islands stand and is the largest lake in Ethiopia. Lalibela is famous for its 12th-century, rock-hewn churches. Harar is a famous Muslim walled city and the centre for the coffee trade. Dire Dawa, near Harar, is an important trading centre on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line. The Rift Valley Lakes in Ziway, Langano, Awasso, Abiyata, Shalla, Abaya and Chamo offer unique scenery and beautiful beaches. Langano is one of the most popular lakeside resorts. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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