Useful Info

Climate

Despite being close to the equator, most of Ethiopia’s climate is mild, with average annual temperature being about 16 º C throughout the central plateau. The main rainy season (kremt) runs from mid-June to mid-September, with some light showers in March and April. Eastern Ethiopia, (near the Red Sea) and western Ethiopia (near Sudan) can get very hot.

Economy

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Ethiopian economy has been under considerable strain since Mengistu took over reins in 1974. The catastrophic famine in 1984-85 worsened the situation. However, there has been a slight improvement in living standards since the new government took over in 1991. High foreign debt, low level of industrialization (around 30%), low level of exports, lack of food self-sufficiency and the high rates of population growth are the main problems that seriously undermine the economy.

Major industries are agriculture, forestry and agricultural processing. Ethiopia's major industries are USA, Germany, Japan and Italy. Ethiopia’s GDP is at US$ 242 million and inflation is currently at 10%.

Sight Seeing
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has its headquarters in Addis Ababa. It is located in the Africa Hall. Scenes from Ethiopian history and the diversity of her people are depicted on the huge stained-glass windows here. They were created by internationally famous Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle.

The Ethnographic Museum and the National Museum that has the remains of our 3.5 million year-old friend, ‘Lucy’, are hot attractions for the visitors. But be sure to take a good guide along. Excellent guides are available in the National Museum, for as little as $1.

Other Addis Ababa attractions are the Giorgis Cathedral, built to commemorate Ethiopian victory over the Italians in the Battle of Adowa and the enormous open-air market or Mercato. It is one of the largest in Africa and contains truly mind-boggling array of goods and produces. But a word of caution; watch out for pick-pockets. The Menelik Mausoleum and Emperor Haile Selassie’s Grand Palace are also worth a visit.

The recently opened Entoto National Park on the Entoto mountain range is one of the many interesting getaways from Addis Ababa. The park provides spectacular views of the Blue Nile Gorge from.

Definitely the most "fabulous" of all, is the Blue Nile Gorge—an absolutely breathtaking sight. The journey of the Blue Nile starts at Lake Tana to the north and cuts through this awe-inspiring gorge.

Then there is the small town of Debre Zeit, an hour’s drive from Addis Ababa, a base for exploring the crater lakes, Lake Bishoftu and Lake Hora. Equally impressive is the Bihere Tsige garden en route to Debre Zeit, which is a great introduction to Ethiopian birdlife.