Step inside the ancient stone churches of Lalibela carved from solid rock. Enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony with a local farming family whilst hiking in the Meket highlands and search for the rare Ethiopian wolf in the awesome Simien Mountains. In terms of tourism, Ethiopia is still young, but this undiscovered gem has already established itself as a fascinating, off-the-beaten-track destination.
An ancient and mysterious land with well over three thousand years of recorded history, Ethiopia is not only one of the worlds’ oldest countries, but holds the further distinction of being the oldest independent nation in Africa. Once home to the Queen of Sheba, ruler of the historical kingdom mentioned in both the Old Testament and the Qu’ran and still home to the fabled Ark of the Covenant that housed the Ten Commandments, Ethiopia transports you back in time to a mystical world full of legends and tales.
Learn a bit more about Ethiopia and it’s history More »
For many years, archaeologists have sifted through Ethiopia’s soil and in 1974 a fossilized hominid was discovered which was named ‘Lucy’ or, fondly known to Ethiopians as ‘Dinkanesh’, meaning ‘Thou art wonderful’. This suggested early human beings walked these lands more than three million years ago, supporting the theory that Ethiopia is the “Cradle of Mankind” and home to the oldest human remains in the world.
Today Ethiopia is home to an estimated 82 million people of multi-ethnicity who are descended from one of the worlds’ oldest civilizations, many of whom still retain their own distinct, cultural traditions. Orthodox Christianity established itself early in the first millennium during the powerful Askumite civilization and continues to this day to be the dominant religion in Ethiopia. Over half of the population are of Christian faith and mostly live in the northwest highlands, with the next majority being Muslim who can be predominantly found in the southeast lowlands.
Apart from a short Italian occupation during 1936-41, Ethiopia is unique among African countries, in that its lasting monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule. Emperor Menelik I, believed to be the son of King Solomon, founded the Ethiopian Solomonic Dynasty and ruled around 950 BC. Ethiopia’s monarchical reign lasted for over 2000 years and ended 225 generations later in 1975 when Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in a coup ending a 44 year rule and Ethiopia’s royal legacy. Over the next 17 years, a socialist regime was established until 1991, when a coalition came into power. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia’s first multi-party elections were held in 1995.
Ethiopia is located in, what is known as the Horn of Africa, or the northeast of the continent. It is a land-locked country that shares its borders with five other African nations. The country is split into two distinct geographical zones – the north eastern highlands and the south western lowlands. This massive upheaval in the land caused by The Great Rift Valley provides the country with its spectacular mountain highlands, lakes, and regions of unique flora and fauna, some of which include the Walex Ibex and the rare Simien Wolf. The Simien Mountains, a recognized World Heritage Site is home to the tallest peak in Ethiopia – the Ras Dashen at 4,543 m, while The Danakil or Afar Depression that includes the Danakil desert is the lowest point in Africa. Ethiopia is set against a backdrop of truly contrasting beauty.
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