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Ethiopia

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 The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ityop'iya, Amharic ኢትዮጵያ) is a country situated in an area known as the Horn of Africa. It has one of the most extensive known histories as an independent nation on the continent. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia maintained independence during the Scramble for Africa, and continued to do so until 1936-1941, when the Italian army invaded the country.

Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ
Flag of Ethiopia Ethiopia COA
(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: —
Location of Ethiopia
Official language Amharic
Capital Addis Ababa
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Area
 - Total
 - % water 		Ranked 26th
1,127,127 km²
0.7%
Population
 -Total
 -Density 		Ranked 16th
67,673,031
60.0/km²
Currency Birr (ETB)
Time zone UTC +3
National anthem Whedefit Gesgeshi Woude Henate Ethiopia (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)
Internet TLD .et
Calling Code 251

History

Main article: History of Ethiopia

In 1974 a pro-Soviet Marxist-Leninist military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie, who had ruled since 1930, and established a one-party socialist state. The ensuing regime suffered several bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problem. It was eventually defeated in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces under the name Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In 1994 a constitution was adopted leading to Ethiopia's first multiparty elections in the following year. A border war with Eritrea (a nation which separated from Ethiopia in 1992) erupted in May 1998. This has hurt the nation's economy but since strengthened the ruling coalition.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Ethiopia

Regions

Main article: Regions of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is divided into 9 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akabibi) and 2 chartered cities*:

Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara, Benishangul/Gumaz; Dire Dawa*; Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region; Tigray; Shewa; Gojjam

Geography

Main article: Geography of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an ecologically diverse country with land below sea level and above 10,000 feet. Lake Tana in the north is the source of the Blue Nile. It also has a large number of endemic species, notably the Gelada Baboon and the Ethiopian wolf (or Simien fox).

Economy

Main article: Economy of Ethiopia

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is home to many different groups of people, the three largest groups being the Oromo, Amhara (whose Amharic language is used for official purposes), and Tigrinya.

The Axumite Kingdom was one of the first nations to officially adopt Christianity, when St. Frumentius of Tyre converted Ezana of Axum during the fourth century CE. Islam in Ethiopia dates back almost to the founding of the religion; Islamic tradition states that Bilal was from present-day Ethiopia. A small group of Jews, the Beta Israel, lived in Ethiopia for centuries, though most have emigrated to Israel. There are numerous indigenous African religions in Ethiopia.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Ethiopia

Map of Ethiopia
Holidays
Date English name Local name Remarks
January 7 Orthodox Christmas Day Genna;  
January 19 Feast of Epiphany Timket  
February 2 Feast of the Sacrifice Eid-ul-Adha  
March 2 Battle of Adowa    
April 12 Orthodox Easter Monday    
April 25 Coptic Good Friday    
May 2 Mulud Mulud  
May 5 Patriots' Day    
May 28 End of Military Regime    
September 11 Ethiopian New Year/Coptic New Year Inqutatash;  
September 27 Finding of the True Cross Mesqel   
November 14 End of Ramadan Eid-al-Fitr  

Miscellaneous topics

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