Ethiopia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated December 12, 2024

Ethiopia, state of northeastern Africa; 1.13 million km², 109.2 million residents (2019).Ethiopia borders Eritrea in the north and northeast, Djibouti in the east, Somalia in the east and south-east, Kenya in the south and Sudan and South Sudan in the west. The capital is Addis Ababa (3.3 million residents, 2016).

Country facts

Ityop’iya / Democratic Federal Republic of Ethiopia
Country abbreviation: ET
Area: 1.13 million km²
Population (2019): 109.2 million residents
Capital: Addis Ababa
Main language: Amharic
State: Republic
Head of State: Sahle-Work Zewde (President)
Head of Government: Abiy Ahmed
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 772
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 790
Currency unit: 1 birr = 100 cents
Currency code: ETB
Country number (telephony): 251
Internet Domain Name: et
Time difference compared to Sweden: +2
National Day: May 28 (Victory of the Mengistur regime, 1991)

Nature

Land use: forest (12%), agricultural land (13%), other (75%)
Highest mountain: Ras Dejen (4,620 m above sea level)
Largest lake: Lake Tana (3,600 km² )

Population

Population density (2019): 97 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.6%; birth number 33 ‰, death number 7 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (42%), 15-64 (54%), 65- (4%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 64 years, women 68 years
Infant mortality (2019): 38 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 205 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.463 (place 173 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 20%
Most populous cities (2016): Addis Ababa (3.3 million residents), Nazret (324,000), Mekele (323,700)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (35%), industry (22%), service (43%)
Exports (2017): US $ 3,230 million
Main export products: coffee, khat, gold
Main exporting countries: Sudan, Switzerland, China
Imports (2017): US $ 15 590 million
Main import products: food, oil, chemicals
Main importing countries: China, Saudi Arabia, India
Railway network (2017): 660 km

Geography

Location and Borders

Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa. It 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. The country lies entirely in the tropics, but its altitude causes a range of temperatures.

Physical Features

Ethiopia is known for its diverse physical geography, including highlands, plateaus, and lowland deserts. The Ethiopian Highlands, often referred to as the “Roof of Africa,” dominate the central and northern parts of the country. These highlands are rich in rugged mountain ranges and deep valleys, and they are the source of several important rivers, such as the Blue Nile, which begins in the Ethiopian highlands before flowing into Sudan.

The country is also home to the Danakil Depression in the northeast, one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth. The Great Rift Valley cuts through Ethiopia, running from the northeast to the southwest, creating a fertile area for agriculture due to volcanic activity.

Rivers and Lakes

Ethiopia is the source of the Blue Nile, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile River. The Blue Nile contributes about 80% of the Nile’s water. The country also has several important lakes, including Lake Tana, which is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile, and Lake Ziway, a smaller lake to the south.

Climate

Ethiopia has a varied climate due to its altitude and geography. The highlands experience a temperate climate with cool to mild temperatures, while the lowlands are hot and arid. The climate is predominantly tropical, but the highland areas are cooler and can even have snowfall at higher elevations.

The rainy season, which varies across the country, typically occurs from June to September. However, the amount of rainfall can be uneven, with some regions experiencing droughts, especially in the northeast and southeast.

The climate can be divided into three main zones:

Cool highlands (temperatures range between 15°C to 20°C): Found in the central, northern, and western parts of the country.
Warm lowlands (temperatures range between 20°C to 30°C): Found in the eastern and southern areas.
Hot lowlands (temperatures above 30°C): Found in the eastern and northeastern deserts and semi-deserts.

People

Population and Ethnic Groups

Ethiopia is the second-most populous country in Africa, with a population of over 120 million people. The country is characterized by its ethnic and linguistic diversity, with more than 80 distinct ethnic groups. The largest ethnic groups are the Oromo, Amhara, Tigray, and Sidama. Other smaller groups include the Somali, Gurage, Hadiya, and Wolayta.

The country is home to over 80 languages, with the major languages being Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, and Somali. Amharic serves as the official language, while other languages are widely spoken in their respective regions.

Religion

Ethiopia has a rich religious history, being one of the earliest countries to adopt Christianity. The majority of Ethiopians are adherents of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, which is practiced by about 43% of the population. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has unique traditions, including its own calendar and religious rituals, and is deeply intertwined with the country’s cultural heritage.

In addition to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, Islam is practiced by about 34% of the population, particularly in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country. The remaining population practices Protestant Christianity or indigenous African religions.

Urbanization

Ethiopia’s urbanization is still relatively low, with most of the population living in rural areas. Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city, is a bustling metropolis and the political and economic hub of the country. Other major cities include Dire Dawa, Mekelle, and Gondar. While the rural areas are home to most Ethiopians, there has been significant growth in urban areas due to internal migration and improved infrastructure.

Economy

Agriculture

Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy, employing about 70% of the population. The country’s agricultural sector is primarily based on subsistence farming, although there are some commercial crops, such as coffee, which is one of Ethiopia’s most important exports. Coffee, in particular, is of historical significance, as Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee. It is believed that the coffee plant was first discovered in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia in the 9th century.

Other important agricultural products include cereals (such as teff, wheat, and maize), pulses, vegetables, and livestock. Ethiopia is the largest producer of teff, a grain that is used to make injera, a traditional flatbread.

Industry and Manufacturing

Ethiopia’s industrial sector is less developed than its agricultural sector but has been growing in recent years. Manufacturing in Ethiopia is diverse, including textiles, food processing, leather products, and cement. The country has been working to attract foreign investment in its manufacturing sector, especially in areas like garment production.

The country has abundant natural resources, including gold, tantalum, and other minerals, though their extraction and utilization are still in early stages compared to more industrialized countries.

Services and Tourism

The services sector in Ethiopia has been expanding, particularly in tourism. Ethiopia is a land of rich cultural heritage, ancient historical sites, and natural beauty, which attract tourists from around the world. Attractions like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, the Simien Mountains National Park, and the historic city of Axum, with its ancient obelisks and ruins, are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Ethiopian government has focused on developing tourism as a key part of its economic strategy, and the sector has shown steady growth over the past decade. However, challenges such as political instability and infrastructure limitations remain.

Economic Challenges

Despite its natural wealth and growing economy, Ethiopia faces significant economic challenges. The country struggles with high poverty rates, inflation, and unemployment, particularly in rural areas. The heavy reliance on agriculture, which is vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation, adds to the economic volatility.

Additionally, Ethiopia has significant external debt, and its infrastructure, though improving, still lags behind other countries. However, the Ethiopian government has implemented ambitious plans for growth, including the Growth and Transformation Plans (GTP), which aim to enhance industrialization, infrastructure, and social development.

Government

Political System

Ethiopia is a federal state with a parliamentary system of government. The country’s constitution, adopted in 1995, defines the structure of the government and provides for a federal system based on ethnic divisions. Ethiopia is made up of regional states, each with its own government, and these states are largely based on the country’s major ethnic groups.

The federal government is composed of the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. The president, who is elected by the parliament, is the ceremonial head of state, while the prime minister holds executive power as the head of government.

Political Parties and Elections

Ethiopia has a multi-party system, but the ruling party for many years has been the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which was a coalition of regional parties based on ethnic lines. The EPRDF dominated the political landscape until it was replaced by the Prosperity Party in 2019, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopian elections have often been criticized for lack of transparency and fairness. However, there have been improvements in recent years, particularly with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to introduce political reforms and open the space for opposition parties. Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict with Eritrea.

Challenges to Governance

Ethiopia’s political system faces challenges related to ethnic federalism, which has sometimes led to inter-ethnic conflicts and tensions. The country has experienced ethnic-based violence, displacement, and regional conflicts, especially in areas like Tigray, Oromia, and the southern regions. The Tigray conflict, which erupted in 2020, has been particularly devastating, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

Despite these challenges, Ethiopia remains a key player in the Horn of Africa region and continues to seek stability and reform.

Culture

Language and Literature

Ethiopia’s rich cultural history is reflected in its diverse languages and literature. Amharic, the official language, is used in government and media, while many other languages are spoken by different ethnic groups. Ethiopia has a unique written script called Ge’ez, which is used for Amharic and several other languages.

Ethiopian literature has a long history, and its written tradition dates back to the 4th century with the translation of Christian texts into Ge’ez. Modern Ethiopian literature has evolved, particularly in the 20th century, with authors like Haile Gerima and Dinaw Mengestu gaining international recognition.

Music and Dance

Ethiopian music is known for its unique pentatonic scale and use of traditional instruments such as the krar (a lyre) and the masinko (a one-stringed fiddle). Ethiopian music has a deep connection to its religious and cultural practices, especially in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In addition to religious music, secular music in Ethiopia includes a variety of regional styles, such as Tigrigna, Amharic, and Oromo music.

Dance is an essential part of Ethiopian culture, with each ethnic group having its own distinct styles of dance. These dances are often performed during festivals, celebrations, and social events.

Festivals and Celebrations

Ethiopia has many unique cultural festivals that reflect its deep religious and historical traditions. Among the most famous is Timkat, the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany, which marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The festival involves large processions, music, and dance, as well as the reenactment of the baptism.

Another significant festival is Meskel, which commemorates the finding of the True Cross. Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, is celebrated in September and is marked by traditional feasts and celebrations.

Art and Architecture

Ethiopian art is closely tied to religious themes, especially those of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Traditional Ethiopian paintings often depict biblical scenes and saints, with vivid colors and distinctive styles. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are some of the most impressive architectural feats, carved directly into solid rock and serving as a testament to Ethiopia’s deep religious heritage.

Cuisine

Ethiopian cuisine is known for its use of injera, a type of sourdough flatbread made from teff flour. Injera serves as both the plate and utensil in many dishes, which are typically served with a variety of stews, lentils, and vegetables. The use of berbere (a spice mix) and niter kibbeh (clarified butter) is central to the flavor of Ethiopian food.

Other common dishes include kitfo (minced raw meat), doro wat (chicken stew), and shiro (a chickpea stew). Ethiopian cuisine is often communal, with meals shared among family members and guests.

History

Ancient Civilizations

Ethiopia boasts one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. The Kingdom of Aksum, which thrived from the 1st to the 7th century CE, was one of the great civilizations of the ancient world. Aksum was a powerful trading empire known for its monumental obelisks, advanced architecture, and the early adoption of Christianity in the 4th century CE.

Medieval Period

In the medieval period, Ethiopia developed a strong Christian kingdom. The Ethiopian Empire, which emerged in the 13th century under the Solomonic dynasty, became a significant power in the Horn of Africa. The Solomonic emperors traced their lineage to the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel.

During this time, Ethiopia was frequently at war with neighboring Muslim sultanates and empires, especially during the reign of Emperor Menelik II, who successfully defended Ethiopia against the Italian invasion in the late 19th century.

Modern History

The 20th century was marked by political upheaval. Emperor Haile Selassie, who ruled from 1930 to 1974, was an important figure in Ethiopia’s modernization and its role in the Pan-African movement. However, his regime was overthrown in 1974 by a Marxist military junta, known as the Derg, which led to the establishment of a socialist state.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Ethiopia faced conflicts and famines, particularly in the 1980s, but it also underwent significant political reforms, especially after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. Abiy’s administration has been working to address the country’s political, economic, and social challenges, though issues like ethnic conflict and instability remain.