Addis Ababa and its Surrounding

 

The foundation of the new city was laid down by Empress Taitu around the ‘felwuha’ in 1886 when her husband was marched to Harer. She coined the name of the site as “Addis Ababa” in Amharic, which means “New flower”.

    Currently, Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU). On July 9, 2000, fifty-three heads of state formed the African Union (AU). The new organization replaces the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and is designed to accelerate the integration of the African continent.  With more than 70 embassies and consular representatives in the city, Addis Ababa is the Diplomatic capital of Africa. It is also the third highest capital in the world after La Paz (Bolivia) and Quinto (Ecuador).full story

 

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Northern Ethiopia

Most people come to Africa for safari or to see primitive tribes. But in the north of Ethiopia you will discover a complete different Africa with monuments that speak of an ancient civilization which can be compared with the Greek and Roman civilizations, 17th century castles where kings lived in excessive luxury, playing their political games and also innumerable rock hewn churches, hidden jewels in the rough landscape of Tigray.

Besides that, while travelling through north Ethiopia, landscape and nature will never be boring. Planes with vivid green Teff, rough and capricious shaped mountains, breathtaking descents and views, rivers in deep gorges and moon-like landscapes pass your eyes.

The hospitable people of Amhara or Tigray will joyfully receive you in their houses as a honourable guest to taste something of daily life and culture of an Ethiopian family. Colourful markets can be visited in different places. In the small coffee houses you can taste the real Ethiopian coffee and atmosphere or you can visit a restaurant or bar to enjoy traditional music and dance.

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Southern Ethiopia

This is really unspoiled part of mother earth with lakes, hot springs, rolling green hills, rough mountains, huge forests, wild coffee and the real African savannah and semi-desert. There are also several National Parks where a great variety of wildlife and birds can be seen. In this variety of landscapes a mosaic of tribes is living. More than 45 languages are spoken here.

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Eastern Ethiopia

Also East and North-East Ethiopia have their own taste and atmosphere. Where in most parts of Ethiopia the Christian Orthodox faith has had a great influence on culture and social life, in the east Muslim culture has been the reigning culture since the 13th century. Visiting the 1000 years old walled Muslim city of Harar you will breathe the atmosphere of the tales of “thousand and one night”. The road from Addis Ababa to Harar has many interesting aspects such as the beautiful Awash National Park and the very scenic route through the Chercher and Arba Gugu mountains. Travelling from the town Awash to the Afar Depression north-east, you will drive through a complete different landscape, ending your trip in the Danakil Desert and Depression. This trip is really only for adventurers with a good physical condition because the desert climate is very hot.

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South-West Ethiopia

Still unknown by the tourism industry, this part of Ethiopia is very rich in natural beauty such as green rolling hills with dense forests teeming with wild animals and birds, the Omo river Canyon, waterfalls, coffee- and tea plantations and fertile soil where fruits, crops and vegetables abundantly grow. In the far west the climate and landscape changes abruptly when you go down to the swampy lowlands with their hot, humid atmosphere near the Sudanese border.