Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, is a land of stunning natural beauty. It covers an area twice the size of France or Texas. From deep within the country's interior, the Blue Nile starts its northward flow. Also known as the land of the Queen of Sheba, this country has a mosaic of cultures, languages, people and places.
Landlocked in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is bordered by Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya. Ethiopia is dominated by a high, temperate central plateau, cut in two by the Great Rift Valley, which runs diagonally southwest through the country. Escarpments on either side of the country are very rugged, and the desert areas surrounding the central plateau are inhospitable. The seven lakes in the Rift Valley are excellent for bird watching, and the Blue Nile Falls are impressive to see year-round.
Ethiopia can be reached via its international airport, located in the capital city of Addis Ababa, which is served by European and African airlines. Another popular option is to travel by bus from Nairobi, in neighboring Kenya, to Addis Ababa. A train service operates between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The domestic airline has a strong internal network with reasonable prices. Flying is a better option than taking the bus, since buses in Ethiopia tend to be very slow and severely crowded. The road network in Ethiopia is adequate, connecting all the major centers; drive on the right.
Credit card acceptance is very limited, but travelers checks and foreign currency are accepted and easily exchanged. Communication service in Ethiopia is primarily limited to Addis Ababa and the surrounding area. There are fewer than five Internet cafes in the country and only one mobile phone service provider (which offers unreliable service). Postal service is slow and unreliable and local and international phone services are limited with regular disruptions and high prices.
More than 80 tribes live in Ethiopia, speaking almost as many local languages. The official language is Amharic, but English is understood in most places. The population is divided between Muslims and Christians, with the latter making up about 60 percent of the population. Some European influences remain from former colonizing powers; travelers will find Italian cappuccinos at street cafes and local wines at restaurants.
Crime targeting foreigners is frequent in Addis Ababa, but in most cases is limited to petty crime. Violent personal crime directed against foreigners does occur, but is rare. Petty theft and pickpocketing often occur on the crowded public transportation systems. The regions bordering Eritrea in the north and Kenya in the south are prone to outbreaks of violent armed conflict; travelers should avoid traveling to these areas.
For a free map of Ethiopia and more detailed information, be sure to click on the Destination Brief above.
Please note: the situation in Ethiopia can be volatile and dynamic. You are encouraged to purchase an Intelligence Brief ($7.50) or Destination Tracker ($25) for complete, up-to-the-minute information on the Country, Security and Health, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Transportation, Communications/Technology, Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language in Ethiopia.