Ethiopia

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Category: Uncategorised
Published on Sunday, 02 June 2013 20:04
Written by Super User
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Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world of rich history which under the name Abyssinia, its culture and traditions date back 3000 years. Its first Emperor Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and Queen Sheba, ruled around 1000 BC.

Ethiopia minted gold coins for currency of international market 2000 years ago and it was the second country to officially become Christian and welcome the first Muslim immigrants sent by Prophet Mohammed.

. . . Ethiopia - possesses an architectural treasure trove with hundreds of churches carved into giant granite rocks along with ancient mosques, and terrific ecological phenomena . . .

Ethiopia possesses an architectural treasure trove with hundreds of churches carved into giant granite rocks along with ancient mosques, and terrific ecological phenomena such as the Simien Mountains - one of the world highest and most spectacular places with unique and endemic wildlife and Dalol - the lowest spot on planet Earth.

Ethiopia is also where coffee was born and is enriched with more than eighty ethnic groups, speaking more than 200 languages comprising some of the last truly tribal people of the African continent. It has its own alphabet and remained the only country with historical independence in Africa.

. . . 835 species of birds, with 23 of indigenous to . . . 277 species of mammals, endemic mammals like Gelada Babon, Walia Ibex, Semen Fox . . .

Besides, the oldest remains of the human race, like the famous "Lucy" and “Ardi”, have been excavated in Afar Region of Ethiopia, proving Ethiopia to be the birthplace of human kind. Ethiopia is enriched with highlands, lowlands and rift valleys, with approximately one third of the country 2,000 meters above sea level. East African Rift Valley, the greatest rift valley in the world extended from Syria to Mozambique, divides the country into two via Afar Region, Danakil Depression.

With 4,620 meters height, Ras Dashen is the highest peak and Dalol, in the Dankal depression in Afar Region, is the lowest spot with 116 meter below sea level.

Ethiopia lies entirely within the tropical (hot) zone, possessing temperate climate in areas of high altitude. The seasonal variation resulted in diversified attractive flora and fauna distribution. There are about 835 species of birds in Ethiopia, with 23 of them indigenous to Ethiopia. There are 277 species of mammals: Gelada Babon, Walia Ibex, Semen Fox are some of Ethiopian endemic mammals.

The country prides itself of 13 months of sunshine and seasonal rain fall. There are four seasons in a year: ‘Kiremt’ (rainy season), ‘Meher’ (flowering season), ‘Bega’ (hot season) and ‘Belg’ or ‘Tsedey’ (autumn).

Ethiopia, with about 10 big rivers, is known to be the water tower of Africa as the rivers flow in all directions to the neighboring countries from its very highlands. Abay (Blue Nile) River is the longest river which originates from Lake Tana and drained to the Mediterranean Sea via Sudan and Egypt. WabiSheble and Genale Rivers in the Eastern part of Ethiopia drain to Indian Ocean through Somalia. Awash, the inland river drains to Lake Abey along the border of Djibouti. Gibe (Omo) River drains to Lake Turkana along the border of Kenya from the southern Ethiopia.

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