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About Ethiopia
It is one of the poorest countries on the planet with an average per capita income each year of just over USD$115.00, and this continues to fall as the population grows faster than the economy.
Although the recurring western image of
Ethiopia is of a country of famine and drought, it is in fact a beautiful mountainous country with many lakes and rivers. The Blue Nile springs out of the West Gojam area of
Ethiopia and from there it flows through the
Sudan and into
Egypt . The country was Christianized in the 3rd century, well before much of
Western Europe and, it is thought by some historians, to harbour the Ark of the Covenant, which according to Ethiopian folklore, was entrusted to Ethiopian monks during the crusades. Today, Muslims and Christians live side by side throughout the country without difficulty.
Ethiopia's capital is
Addis Ababa , a city of about 3 million people - a colourful and vibrant city with a wonderful climate located at approximately 7,500 feet above sea level. Prior to the founding of
Addis Ababa ,
Ethiopia 's capitals moved regularly - usually after the local forests had been stripped of firewood. 
Ethiopia is virtually alone among African countries in never having been colonized.
Ethiopia was invaded by the Italians in 1896 but the Italian army was resoundingly defeated that year at
Adwa in northern
Ethiopia . Later there was a brief occupation of the country by the Italians at the commencement of World War II. Other than for that brief period
Ethiopia has always been run by Ethiopians. The official language of
Ethiopia is Amharic but Orominya is the language of the largest tribe (the Oromo). The language of education at the high school level is English and in most urban centres there are many people who speak the language.
The problems which
Ethiopia faces are staggering. Much of the land is mountainous and there is not enough arable farm land to meet the needs of the country. On top of that
Ethiopia is regularly plagued by droughts - particularly in the more arid north and in the Rift Valley which bisects mainland
Ethiopia . The country is almost devoid of natural resources with the majority of the population relying on subsistence farming.
Facts about Ethiopia by comparison
A Country by Country Comparison (2003 figures)
| |
ETHIOPIA |
CANADA |
U.S.A. |
| Population |
75 million |
30.8 million |
283.2 million |
| GDP (USD) |
6.4 billion |
687.9 billion |
9,837 billion |
| GDP per capita |
$660 (7th lowest) |
$27,170 |
$34,100 |
| Median Age |
17.3 |
36.9 |
35.5 |
| Life Expectancy |
43.3 (12th lowest) |
79.0 |
77.5 |
| At Birth |
Death Rate
(per 1000 population) |
19.4 |
7.54 |
8.4 |
| Infant Mortality |
106.1 |
5.4 |
6.69 |
Source: The Economist (World & Figures, ); CIA The World Factbook
- A female in Ethiopia will give birth to an average of 5.1 children in her lifetime, while in Canada this average is 1.6 children (2008 estimates).
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