Country Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE)
Political System: Federal State with Multi-Party Democracy
Chief of State: President Dr. Mulatu Teshome
Head of Government: Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn
Cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the prime minister and
approved by the House of People's Representatives
Location
Ethiopia is strategically located in the Horn of Africa, west of
Somalia 8 00 N, 38 00 E bordered by the Sudan(1,606 km )on the
west, Somalia(1,626 km) and Djibouti(337 km) on the East,
Eritrea(912 km) on the North and Kenya (830 km ) on the South.
It has proximity to the Middle East and Europe, covers an area
of 1.14 million square Kilometers 9 44,000 square miles
Entry Point by Air
Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa- and Regional Cities
includes-Dire Dawa, Bahar Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Axum, Arba
Minch, and Mekele.
Entry Point by Rail
Dewele on the Djibouti border. Arrivals undergo full customs and
immigration checks. The rail way, under construction
Entry Point by Road
Moyale (from Kenya), Humera And Metema (from Sudan), and Dewele
(from Dijibouti) and Humera,Rama and Bure (from Eritera). All
have full customs and immigration checks.
Communications
Telephone, telex, fax, internet and air mail services connect
Addis Ababa to all parts of the world. Services are available at
the General Post Office and its many branches, as well as in the
main hotels. International direct dialing is available from all
major centers.
Major Cities includes: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Nazret, Harer,
Mekele, Jima, Desi, Bahir Dar, Jijiga, Assosa , Hawassa ,
Debre,Zeyit
Population: 86.5 million
Economic Considerations
GDP 31.7 Billion Birr
GDP Per Capital (FCY) USD 392
Ethiopia is predominantly agricultural country with over 80
percent of its population farming on about 15 - 20 percent of
the arable land. The agricultural sector in 2010/2011 accounts
for 41% of the GDP and 80 percent of export earnings.
The industrial sector including small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
account for about 13.4% of GDP. The service sector comprises of
social services, trade, hotel and restaurants fiancé and real
estate and other includes for about 45.6% of GDP.
Major Agricultural Products: Cereals, Coffee, oilseeds, Cotton,
tobacco
Major Exports: Fruits, spices, meat and meat products, vegetables, chat, Live animals, Gold, oilseeds, livestock & textile.
Major Imports: Agricultural inputs, Machinery& equipments, Pharmaticulas & chemicals, Metal products, food grains.
Major countries of import includes:
China(9%), Saudi
Arabia(6.8%), united Arab Emirates(5.4%), Japan(4.5%),
Italy(3.4%), USA(2.3), Germany(1,8%), Sudan(1.7%), France(1.2%),
u.K(1.1%) Kenya(0.4), Russia(0.3%), and the rest of the
world(46.7).
Currency
The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 cents.
Notes are issued in denominations of 1,5-10-50, and 100 birr.
There are five different coins: 1-,5-10-25, and 50 cents.
Public holidays
Ethiopians observe the following public holidays: Christmas
(January 7, 2005); Epiphany (January 19, 2005*); Feast of the
Sacrifice/Eid al Adha (January 21, 2005*); Battle of Adowa
(March 2, 2005); Birth of the Prophet/Mouloud (April 21, 2005*);
Good Friday (April 29, 2005*); May Day (May 1, 2005); Easter
Monday (May 2, 2005*); Patriots’ Victory Day (May 5, 2005);
Downfall of the Derg (May 28, 2005); New Year’s Day (September
11, 2005*); Feast of the True Cross (September 27, 2005*); End
of Ramadan/Eid al Fitr (November 4, 2005*). Asterisks indicate
holidays with variable dates according to either the Islamic or
Orthodox calendar.
Communications
Telephone, telex, fax, internet and air mail services connect
Addis Ababa to all parts of the world. Services are available at
the General Post Office and its many branches, as well as in the
main hotels. International direct dialing is available from all
major centers in the country.
Language
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of
languages spoken out of which 83 have over 200 dialects. Amharic
is the working language of the Federal Government. English is
widely spoken particularly in the business transactions.
Moreover, the major languages includes, Amharic, Oromo,
Tigrinya, Somali
Religion
Major religions in the country are Christianity and Islam. But
there are a number of traditional religions as well. One
prominent feature of Ethiopia is religious tolerance that exists
among different groups.
Regional Administrations of the Federal Government
(Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa,
Gambela, Hareri , Oromiya), (Somali), Tigray, (Southern Nations,
Nationalities, and Peoples)
Topography
Ethiopia’s topography consists of a central high plateau
bisected by the Ethiopian segment of the Great Rift Valley into
northern and southern highlands and surrounded by lowlands, more
extensive on the east and southeast than on the south and west.
The plateau varies from 1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level
and features mountainous uplands separated by deep gorges and
river valleys, especially in the north. The highest point is Ras
Dashen at 4,620 meters in the northern highlands. In the east,
the Denakil Depression, part of the Rift Valley, is in places
115 meters below sea level and is one of the hottest places on
earth. A chain of lakes lie in the southern Rift Valley, but the
largest inland body of water is Lake Tana in the northwest.
Cultural Attractions
Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture
and traditions dating back over 3000 years, with over 80
different ethnic groups having their own language, culture and
traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and
festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
Church ceremonies are a major feature of Ethiopian life. The
events are impressive and unique. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church
has its own head, follows its own customs, and is extremely
proud of its fourth century origins.
Ethiopia’s Islamic tradition is also strong and offers colorful contrast, particularly in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country. In fact, there were Ethiopian Muslims during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammed. This rich religious history is brought to life in the romantic walled city of Harar, considered by many Muslims to be the fourth “Holy City” following Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.
Calendar & Working Hours
Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar which divides the
year in 12 months of 30 days each, with the remaining five (or
six days in a leap year) constituting the short 13th month of
Pagume. In Greek Pagume means "Additional". The Ethiopian New
Year commences on the 10th or 11th of September every year.
Ethiopia is in the GMT +3time zone. Business hours vary according to the nature of the business. Normally government office and most other office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 P.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Working hours on Friday are 8:30Am to 11:30Am and 1:30pm to 5:30pm..
Climatic Conditions
Although Ethiopia lies within 15 degrees North of the Equator,
owing to the moderating influence of high altitude, the country
enjoys moderate temperature and pleasant climate, with average
temperature rarely exceeding 20oc (68oF). The sparsely populated
lowlands typically have sub–tropical and tropical climates. At
approximately 850mm (34inches), the average annual rainfall for
the whole country is considered to be moderate by global
standards. In most of the high lands, rainfall occurs in two
distinct seasons: the “small rains” during February and March
and the “big rains” from June to September.
