Ethiopia

Many people know its former name Abyssinia. Ethiopia of these days emerged in 1 993 when the territory known as Eritrea got independent on Ethiopia. The boarder between these two states has still been a matter of disputes and armed conflicts.

Ethiopia is located in the centre of the „African horn“. That is the name of a penninsula in east Africa which projects into the Arab sea. We can find here the most eastern point of Africa that looks like the horn of a rhinoceros.

Ethiopia covers the area of 1 127 127 km² and with this size it is the 26^th largest country in the world. More than 73 000 000 inhabitants live here (2004). The capital is Addis Abeba.

You can find here the area with the oldest human settlement. It was probably in Ethiopia, where the „homo sapiens“ evolved. This country, unlike many others in Africa, does not share their colonial experience. It has (except for a short period of Italian occupation – 1 936 –
1 941) always been an independent country with very original and unique culture.

The territory of Ethiopia is predominantly mountaineous, the Ethiopean highlands covers the majority of it. The east of the country is flat. The highest peak of Ethiopia is the Ras Dashen Terara Peak (4 620 m), the lowest place is the Danahil depression (- 125 m). The Blue Nile flows out of the lake Tana in the north-east of the country.

To a large extent, Ethiopia still remains an unexplored destination. Nature protection is here on quite a low level. In spite of this fact, some national parks, especially in the mountains – Semien, Bale Mountains, are unique not only because of their exceptional landscape but also due to many very rare and endemical plant and animal species. With their unique nature, these isolated mountain massives give the impression of „islands on the mainland“.

Although the infrastructure in Ethiopia is less developed than in Western countries, such a mysterious country in the heart of the „black continent“ is certainly worth exploring. The less tourists you meet here, the more memories you will bring home.