Ethiopia

Ethiopia

area:	1,128,000sq km (435,521sq mi)
population:	67,980,100
capital (population):	Addis Ababa (2,674,200)
government:	Federation of nine provinces
ethnic groups:	Oromo (Galla) 40%, Semitic (Amhara and Tigreans) 33%, Shangalla 5%, Somalis 5%, Others 17%
languages:	Amharic (de facto official)
religions:	Christianity 53%, Islam 36%, traditional beliefs 11%
currency:	Birr = 100 cents

Landlocked republic in e Africa. Ethiopia is dominated by the Ethiopian Plateau, a block of volcanic mountains. Its average height is 1800m to 2450m (6000ft to 8000ft), rising in the n to 4620m (15,157ft), at Ras Dashen. The Great Rift Valley bisects the plateau. The Eastern Highlands include the Somali Plateau and the desert of the Ogaden Plateau. The Western Highlands include the capital, Addis Ababa, the Blue Nile (Abbay) and its source, Lake Tana (Ethiopia's largest lake). The Danakil Desert forms Ethiopia's border with Eritrea.

Climate and Vegetation

Ethiopia's climate is greatly affected by altitude. Addis Ababa, at 2450m (8000ft), has an average annual temperature of 20°C (68°F). Rainfall is generally more than 1000mm (39in), with a rainy season from April to September. The ne and sw lowlands are extremely hot and arid with less than 500mm (20in) rainfall, and frequent droughts. Grass, farmland, and trees cover most of the highlands. Semi-desert and tropical savanna cover parts of the lowlands. Dense rainforest grows in the sw.

History and Politics

According to tradition, Solomon's son, Menelik I, founded the Ethiopian kingdom in c.1000 bc. In the 4th century, the n kingdom of Axum introduced Coptic Christianity. In the 6th century, Judaism flourished. The expansion of Islam led to the isolation of Axum. The kingdom fragmented in the 16th century. In 1855, Kasa reestablished unity, and proclaimed himself Negus (Emperor) Theodore, thereby founding the modern state.

European intervention marked the late 19th century, and Menelik II became emperor with Italian support. He expanded the empire, made Addis Ababa his capital (1889), and defeated an Italian invasion in 1895. In 1930, Menelik II's grandnephew, Ras Tafari Makonnen, was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I. In 1935, Italian troops invaded Ethiopia (Abyssinia). In 1936, Italy combined Ethiopia with Somalia and Eritrea to form Italian East Africa. During World War II, British and South African forces recaptured Ethiopia, and Haile Selassie was restored as emperor.

In 1952, Eritrea federated with Ethiopia. The 1960s witnessed violent demands for Eritrean secession and economic equality. Following famine in n Ethiopia, Selassie was deposed in 1974. The Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC) abolished the monarchy. Military rule was repressive, and civil war broke out. The new PMAC leader, Mengistu Mariam, recaptured territory in Eritrea and the Ogaden with Soviet military assistance.

In 1984–85 widespread famine received global news coverage and 10,000 Falashas were airlifted to Israel. In 1987, Mengistu established the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

In 1991, the Tigrean-based Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) brought down Mengistu's regime. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was created in 1995, and Menes Zenawi was elected prime minister. A border war with Eritrea (1998–2000) claimed tens of thousands of lives. More than 40,000 people died in the Battle of Badme (Febraury 1999).

Economy

Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries (2000 GDP per capita, US$600), 88% of the workforce are engaged in agriculture (mostly subsistence) and 67% of exports are food products. Coffee is the main cash crop, shipped through the port of Djibouti. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was plagued by civil war and famine (partly caused by long droughts). Ethiopia remains heavily dependent on food and financial aid.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.ethemb.se; http://www.tourethio.com