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Information of Ethiopia |
Capital: Addis Ababa
Official Language: Amharic
Currency: Ethiopian Birr
Ethiopia, or the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is an enchanting land of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the east, Sudan to the west and Kenya to the south. Multi cultural Ethiopia boasts of a rich fascinating history with wide-ranging historical sites. The country's landscape is littered with old ruins, ancient monasteries, Arab-influenced walled towns and rock hewn churches. Ethiopia has something for everyone to offer, the Historic Route, surrounding the ancient town of Axum, with its amazing carved obelisks, Gondar, with its castles and palaces; Lalibela, with its remarkable monolithic churches; and the walled Muslim city of Harar. With major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a sensory wildlife safari with profuse birds and indigenous animals from Oryx, bat-eared fox, caracal, aardvark, ccolobus, green monkeys, and Anubis and Hamadryas baboons. Hence Ethiopia is rightly termed as 'the land of a thousand smiles'.
Major Cities of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Axum, Dire Dawa, Gondar, Harar, Lalibela, Mekelle and Yeha are the major cities and towns of Ethiopia. Lalibela, Gondar, Deber Damo and Bahar Dar are the most fascinating historical places of Ethiopia. These destinations are excellent for walking safaris, which are offered by several tour operators in the country. The Axumite kingdom was one of the greatest of the ancient civilizations with the mystery of the great Stellae found at Axum. The beautifully worked tombs of ancient Axumite rulers, archaeological museum and Queen Sheba's Bath are also worth a visit. Lalibela, a medieval settlement in the Lasta area of Wallo boasts of numerous rocks-sculptured churches, believed to have been built by King Lalibela. In the former capital of Gondar many significant castles speak of the same legacy. The northern city of Mekelle is one of the most pleasant places to visit with rock-hewn churches. Dire Dawa is city in Harar region, Ethiopia. It is a commercial and industrial center located on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad. Dire Dawa has a rich wealth of pre-historic cave paintings. Kefira is a traditional market place where one can see the colorful presentation of all people of the region in their cultural dresses. The presence of camels, donkeys, and the inevitable Gharris, two wheeled carts drawn by a horse gives it an aura of going back to medieval times. The city of Harar is an ancient holy city. Ethiopia's Capital City, Addis Ababa with its first-class hotels and restaurants, museums and palaces is really a wonderful tourist resort.
Tourist Attractions of Ethiopia
The unique Rift Valley is an exotic tourist destination with numerous hot springs, volcanic lakes, variety of birds and exuberant variety of flora and fauna. Ethiopia is often termed as the "water tower" of Eastern Africa because of the many rivers and lakes that pour water into it. Most of the lakes are suitable and swimming and other water sports. Besides, lake Abiata and Shalla are havens for bird watchers. Numerous natural hot springs that abounds Rift Valley are greatly useful for their chemical contents that are used for therapeutic purposes. The Blue Nile locally called Abbay spreads from lake Tana and unites with the White Nile in Khartoum. Various islands that are scattered about the surface of the lake Tana contain fascinating churches and monasteries, attracting visitors. The Blue Nile thundering over the spectacular Blue Nile Falls locally known as Tisisat is one of the most awe-inspiring displays in Africa.
Ethiopia's many national parks like the Simien Mountain National Park enables the visitor to enjoy the country's scenery and its wildlife, conserved in natural habitats. The high, rugged, Simien Mountains in the north and the Bale Mountains in the south are also home to some unique wild life, and are ideal for trekking too. Sof Omar, a tiny Muslim village in Bale is famous for its natural caves, cut by the Wab River.
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