Ethiopia (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia) is a country located in eastern Africa, on the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and Sudan and South Sudan to the west. Ethiopia is an inland country and is landlocked. The capital, Addis Ababa, is the largest city and the diplomatic and political center of the country. Ethiopia is the second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and one of the largest countries in the world by area. The form of government is a federal republic. The head of state is the president.
Climate. There are several main climatic zones in the country. Tropical - in lowland areas in eastern Ethiopia adjacent to Somalia and Kenya. In the southern and southwestern parts of Ethiopia, including the Omo-Karo region, the climate is closer to savannas and semi-deserts. In mountainous regions such as the Northern Highlands and the Simen Mountains, the climate is highly dependent on altitude. These areas have two main seasons: dry (October to May) and rainy (June to September). Mountainous areas have colder temperatures, especially at night. Ethiopia is also known for its geographic climate gradient, which is associated with altitudinal changes in the country. For example, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is located at an altitude of about 2,400 meters above sea level and has a generally temperate climate with cool nights and warm days.
Number. The population in 2023 was 116,462,712.
Language. The country is one of the most multinational in the world. More than 80 different languages are spoken in Ethiopia. Amharic is the official state language of the country and is most often used in government and educational institutions. Oromo is another major ethnic language that is used along with Amharic. It is common among the Oromo ethnic group and has its own dialects. In addition, each ethnic group has its own national languages, such as Tigrinya, Somali, Afar, Sidama and others.
Agriculture plays an important role in the Ethiopian economy and is a major source of employment, with almost 90% employed in this industry. Major crops include coffee, sorghum, corn, cotton and others. However, many agricultural operations remain small-scale and traditional. The state is one of the main exporters of coffee. Ethiopia has been investing heavily in infrastructure in recent years, including roads, railways, airports and hydroelectric dams. But the country still faces a number of social and economic challenges, including poverty, access to education and healthcare, as well as epidemics and conflicts in some regions.
Ethiopia has a rich history associated with ancient civilizations, including the Aksumite civilization and the Kingdom of Solomon. It was also one of the few African countries that were not colonized during the period of European imperialization. In 1974, the country experienced a communist revolution, followed by rapid political development.
The country is known for its ancient Christian Islamic history. More than half of the population professes Christianity (mainly Orthodox Christianity and Protestantism), and about a third professes Islam.
Ethiopia is rich in cultural heritage, including unique writing (glyphs), ancient religious iconography, music, dance and traditional ceremonies.
Overall, Ethiopia is a diverse and culturally rich country, but still has challenges in terms of development and stability.
