The main attractions of Addis Ababa: list, photo and description. Three days in the capital of Ethiopia City in Ethiopia Ababa

Ethiopia flag

Country: Ethiopia

Time: UTC + 3

Currency: Ethiopian birr

Official language: Amharic

Addis Ababa is not only the capital of Ethiopia, but also the highest mountain capital in the world and the largest city in the world, located in a landlocked country. The lowest point of Addis Ababa - 2326 m, is located in the south of the city, where the Bole airport is located. The highest point is Mount Entoto with a height of 3000 m, located in the north of the city.

The city of Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II at the request of his wife, Empress Taitu.

Addis Ababa is often referred to as the "Capital of Africa" ​​or "Paris of Africa" ​​due to its historical, political and diplomatic significance to the continent. The city is inhabited by people of many nationalities from different regions of Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromo, Tigers, Somalia and many others. The confessional composition of the population is also rich: Myafisites, Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Protestants and adherents of traditional African beliefs live here.

Ethiopia is a country that attracts tourists from different parts of the world every year. Everyone should take the time to visit Addis Ababa and see the sights of the capital. In reality, not in the photo, Addis Ababa looks even better! That is why the capital of Ethiopia has been attracting tourists for many years.

Attractions Addis Ababa

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity- the most important cathedral of the Ethiopian Church in Addis Ababa, built to commemorate the liberation of Ethiopia from the Italian occupation. The cathedral bears the title "Menbere Tsebaot" or "Clean Altar". The territory of the temple is the burial place of those who fought against the Italian occupation or who accompanied the emperor into exile from 1936 to 1941.

Cathedral of Saint George- Orthodox Cathedral in Addis Ababa. It is distinguished by its characteristic octagonal shape. The cathedral is located at the north end of Churchill Road.

Three days in the capital of Ethiopia

The cathedral was designed by the architect Sebastiano Castagna by Italian prisoners of war who were captured at Adua in 1896, and was named after Saint George after the tabot or Ark of the Covenant of this church was transported to the site of the battle of Adua, where the Ethiopian army was victorious. over the Italians. The Italian fascists burned down the cathedral during the war in 1937. After the liberation of the country in 1941, the cathedral was rebuilt by the Emperor of Ethiopia.

Monument to Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin- a bronze monument to the greatest Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin in the city of Addis Ababa. The first and only monument to the poet in Africa was inaugurated on November 19, 2002 in the central part of the city on Pushkin Street. The place was not chosen by chance, Ethiopia is the possible birthplace of Pushkin's ancestors.

Addis Ababa

Geographic data

Going on a trip to the distant African continent, be sure to visit Ethiopia. Exotic and unexplored, imbued with the spirit of ancient religions and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, this country is considered the cradle of all human civilization. Its capital is Addis Ababa - a city that will surprise anyone. Let's find out why it is good and interesting, and what exactly awaits adventure lovers here.

Geographic data

Addis Ababa is located in the heart of the country, where the Ethiopian Highlands rises. It is considered one of the highest mountain capitals in the world, because the height of Addis Ababa above sea level ranges from 2326 (Bole airport area) to 3000 m (the highest point in the city). This seemingly completely harmless fact suggests that it is difficult to breathe here from habit, as in any mountains.

The geographical coordinates of Addis Ababa on the world map are as follows: latitude 8 ° 59′36 ″, longitude 38 ° 43′37 ″. The area of ​​the city is 526.99 sq. km, it is divided into 10 districts.

The population of Addis Ababa in 2012 was more than 3 million people, and the density was 5770.5 people. / sq. km. It is, in fact, the only large city in the country, and 23% of the total urban population of the country lives here. There is a noticeable trend of active population growth due to migration from rural areas. Here you can meet people of many nationalities (Amhara, Tigers, Oromo, Somali) and confessions (Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Protestants, Jews, Miafisites, animists).

Historical facts

The name of the city from Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia) is translated as "new flower". The capital was formerly called Finfin ("hot springs"). It was here that the royal family settled in 1886, who loved to take mineral baths, and then a palace of monarchs was built on Mount Entoto. Menelik II is rightfully considered the founder of the city. The eucalyptus trees planted along the streets of the city by the emperor himself also remind of him.

During the Italian occupation (1936-1941), the city was partially destroyed, but after the return of power by the emperor Haile Selassie began to actively rebuild. Today, Addis Ababa is often called the "Paris of Africa" ​​and the "resort capital of the continent" for its leading role in politics and tourism.

Addis Ababa climate

If you are planning to spend a few days in the capital, take warm clothes with you. Since the city is huge, the air temperature in different parts of it differs significantly. The average temperature ranges from +16 ° С in winter to +19 ° С in summer. Equatorial heat, like piercing cold, does not happen here.

As for the rains, their maximum occurs in July and August, when Ethiopia has a heavy rain season, and a minimum in December-January. The annual rainfall in Addis Ababa is 1010 mm.

What to see?

Begin your acquaintance with the sights of Ethiopia, undoubtedly, from Addis Ababa. In the capital and its environs, there are mainly historical and cultural objects that attract the attention of all tourists. Among them are:

It is these architectural monuments of the city that most often represent Addis Ababa in the photo.

Excursion rest

In addition to sightseeing within the capital, longer trips are organized for tourists. The tour can be booked at any agency or inquire about it directly at the hotel where you are staying. The following directions are considered the most popular excursions from Addis Ababa:

Where to stay?

Addis Ababa will delight you with the presence of both world-class luxury hotels and budget accommodation. The former include the Sheraton and Hilton chains, which are in the highest tourist demand.

Addis Ababa - the capital of Ethiopia

For those who cannot afford them, the Ethiopian capital can offer to stay in one of the small hotels in the Plaza area. Conditions there are much worse, but the price is more than attractive. Decent reviews of the following hotels:

• Kebron Guest House 3 *;
• Family Cozy Bed & Breakfast 3 *;
• North Addis Hotel 3 *;
• Pacific 3 *;
• Ghion 3 *.

Hostels include Cot Addis Hostel, COT Addis Hostel, COT Addis Hostel.

Cuisine and restaurants

Ethiopian food is quite unusual for a European. These are very spicy, often overcooked and overdried foods that must be eaten with your hands. Instead of cutlery, the so-called injera is used here - a large tortilla made of teff flour, on which all the dishes served are spread. It looks unusual, but it may appeal to fans of gastronomic experiments and hot sauces.

If desired, in Addis Ababa you can find restaurants serving European, Italian, French, Mediterranean cuisine. However, it should be borne in mind that the taste of the dishes here may differ markedly from the original. And be sure to try coffee - after all, Ethiopia is considered its homeland!

• gourmet restaurants Gusto Restaurante, Le Grand Reve, Abucci Restaurant;
• establishments in the middle price range Sishu, Yod Abyssinia Traditional Food, Lucy Lounge & Restaurant;
• inexpensive cafes Montmartre, Tomoca, La Patisserie.

Shopping features

To buy souvenirs, most tourists go to the colorful capital market Mercato. Despite the broken roads, complete unsanitary conditions and a huge territory, here you can get a lot of pleasure from just viewing the goods. Here they sell coffee and utensils for making and drinking it, honey, boxes and trays, carpets and runners, handmade jewelry, textiles, original paintings on the skin, fruits and vegetables, animals, poultry and many others. dr.

More civilian bargaining awaits foreigners at Cherill Avenue, Shiromed Market and Friendship Supermarket. The currency used in Addis Ababa for retail purchases is local birr.

Security

The main danger in the Ethiopian capital is the risk of getting sick. Due to the disgusting sanitary conditions, the chances of contracting an infectious disease (malaria, typhoid fever, diphtheria, viral meningitis, AIDS) are quite high. So that there is no need to learn in practice about the level of medicine in Addis Ababa, it is recommended to get all the necessary vaccinations before the trip, as well as carefully observe hygiene standards.

In terms of crime, the capital is quite safe - mainly due to the religiosity and even piety of the majority of local residents. However, cases of petty hooliganism and theft among the Aboriginal people of Addis Ababa are not uncommon. The recommendation is standard - beware of large crowds of people, leave valuables in the hotel safe, try not to walk along city streets and districts at night.

Travelers are advised to contact their country's embassy, ​​located at:

• Russia - Yeka Kifle-Ketema, Kebele 08 Comoros Street;
• Ukraine - Woreda 17, Kebele 3, 2116;
• Belarus - Bole Sub City, Kebele 24, House No. 299;
• Kazakhstan - Sub City Yeka, Woreda 13, House No. MH66 Berta Real Estate.

Urban transport

Buses and route taxis are the backbone of Addis Ababa's public transport. Their network covers the entire city. It is very convenient to travel by light rail - this is a local type of tram, which has 2 lines - green and blue.

Taxis are also popular with tourists, especially since you can bargain here. Taxis are divided into "tourist" (yellow-green cars, they can be seen near hotels and popular attractions) and "local" (white and blue cars, the trip on them will be cheaper).

There is also the possibility of renting a car. Rental offices are located at the airport and in the city center. The traffic here is right-hand and quite busy.

How to get to the capital of Ethiopia?

The main air gateway to Addis Ababa is Bole Airport. It has international status and serves flights from many countries around the world. Since 2003, one of the most modern passenger terminals in Africa has been operating here. They get to the Ethiopian capital with a transfer in Dubai, Istanbul or Frankfurt.

You can get to Addis Ababa by rail from Dire Dawa and Djibouti.

The country's road network allows you to reach your destination by minibus or less comfortable, but cheaper bus.

Abstract on the topic:

Addis Ababa

Plan:

Introduction
• 1. History
• 2Climate
• 3Demography
• 4 Economy
• 5Transportation
• 6Government
• 7Education
• 8 Attractions
• 9People associated with the city
• 10Sister cities

Notes (edit)

Introduction

Addis Ababa(amh. አዲስ አበባ) is the capital of Ethiopia and the African Union, as well as its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity. With 3,627,934 inhabitants, it is the world's largest city located in a landlocked country. Has the status of a separate region of Ethiopia.

1. History

Addis Ababa was founded by Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. The original name of the city was Finfin, which means "hot springs" in Oromo. Menelik II, who at that time was the king of the state of Sheva, considered the vicinity of Mount Entoto a convenient base for military operations in the south of his kingdom. In 1879, he visited the ruins of a famous medieval city and the remains of a church in the area. His interest in the region grew after Empress Taitu began building a church on Mount Entoto. However, the natural conditions did not allow building a city in the immediate vicinity of the mountain. In 1886, construction began south of the mountains.

Taitu had originally built a home for herself in the vicinity of the Filuoha mineral springs, where she and the members of the Royal Court enjoyed taking mineral baths. Other nobles settled near Taitu's house. As the settlement expanded, Menelik II rebuilt Taitu's house into the palace that is today the seat of the Ethiopian government. The modern name is Addis Ababa, which means New Flower in Amharic, and the city took the title of the capital of Ethiopia when Menelik II became Emperor of Ethiopia. You can still see eucalyptus trees along the city streets, planted by Emperor Menelik II.

On May 5, 1936, during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Italian troops occupied the city. Between 1936 and 1941, Addis Ababa was the capital of Italian East Africa. During this period, about a million Ethiopians were killed by mustard gas. After the victory of British troops and Ethiopian rebels over the Italian army in Ethiopia, Emperor Haile Selassie returned to the capital and immediately began work to rebuild the city and its former life.

With the support of Haile Selassie, the Organization of African Unity was created in 1963, headquartered in Addis Ababa. In 2002, the OAU was disbanded and replaced by the African Union, headquartered in Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa

Also in the city is the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. And in 1965, the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches was held in Addis Ababa.

2. Climate

The city has a whole complex of difficult climatic phenomena, as it is located in the highlands. Temperatures may vary by 10 ° C depending on the altitude and prevailing wind. In general, the temperature throughout the year is about the same, without sharp fluctuations. The average monthly temperature varies from +16 to +19 ° C depending on the season. The location near the equator provides enough warmth despite its high altitude position. The vegetation within the city is rather poor, represented by desert and semi-desert shrubs and grasses. There are practically no fluctuations in temperature during the year. There is no scorching heat in the city and almost no cold weather, rarely frost.

Addis Ababa climate
Index	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	But I	Dec	Year
Absolute maximum, ° C	29	32	32	33	36	32	27	31	31	30	31	32	36
Average maximum, ° C	20	21	22	21	22	20	18	18	18	20	20	20	20
Average temperature, ° C	16	17	17	17	18	17	15	16	16	16	15	15	16
Average minimum, ° C	11	12	13	13	14	13	12	12	12	12	10	10	12
Absolute minimum, ° C	−3	−2	6	6	4	5	6	7	3	2	1	−1	3
Precipitation rate, mm	10	30	60	80	80	130	260	280	180	20	10	10	95

3. Demographics

Based on data from the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency published in 2008, the population of Addis Ababa was 3,147,000, of which 1,511,000 were men and 1,636,000 were women. Currently, there are no rural areas in Addis Ababa, so 100% of the population is urban. It is home to 23% of the total urban population of Ethiopia. The area of ​​the city is 540 km² and the population density is 5936 people / km².

Since the last census of Ethiopia in 1994, the population of Addis Ababa has grown by almost 1 million inhabitants. In 1994, the population of the capital was about 2.3 million inhabitants, of which 28,149 lived in the rural areas of the city. Representatives of many nationalities live in the capital. Among them stand out: Amhara - 48.3% of the population, Oromo - 19.2%, Gurage - 17.5%, Tigers - 7.6%. Monophysites make up 82% of the population, Muslims 12.7%, Protestants 3.9%, Catholics 0.8%.

• 1900 - 80,000 inhabitants
• 1958-400,000 inhabitants
• 1968 - 664,000 inhabitants
• 2002 - 1,700,000 inhabitants.
• 2008 - 3,147,000 inhabitants

4. Economy

There is a wide variety of economic activities in Addis Ababa. According to the official statistics of the federal government, about 119,197 people are employed in trade and commerce, 113,977 people in industry, 80,391 people have their own household, 71,186 people are employed in administration, 50,538 people are employed in transport and communications, 42,514 people are in social security, 32685 people are employed in the hotel industry and tourism, and 16,602 people work in agriculture.

Many poor Ethiopians from rural areas come to Addis Ababa in search of work and fill the streets of the Ethiopian capital. Although recently the number of beggars has decreased due to the provision of their education and work. Today Addis Ababa is a relatively clean and safe city in Africa, where the most common crimes such as fraud, petty theft and theft of bags.

Recently, the number of high-rise buildings and expensive hotels has been growing. Construction of shopping centers and entertainment clubs is underway. Addis Ababa is increasingly called the "Resort Capital of Africa".

5. Transport

Also, Addis Ababa has rail links with Djibouti and Dire Dawa. The city's station was built in a picturesque French style.

6. Government

From 2003 to May 2005, Arkebe Okubai was the mayor of the city. On May 31, 2005, he was named "Africa Mayor 2005". Then he handed over powers to the new mayor - Berkhan Nega. Today the mayor of the city is Berhanu Deresa.

7. Education

Addis Ababa University was founded in 1950 and was originally named Addis Ababa University College. In 1962, it was renamed Addis Ababa University. There are 6 university campuses and 1 campus in the city of Debre-Zeit. Also in many cities of Ethiopia there are branches of this university.

Addis Ababa is home to the Institute for Ethiopian Studies and the Ethnographic Museum. There are also many private colleges.

8.

sights

The National Museum has a plaster copy of Lucy, an Australopithecus found in Ethiopia. To date, this is the oldest person whose remains have been found.

It also houses the Ethiopian National Library and Ethnographic Museum, the Addis Ababa Museum, the Ethiopian Museum and the Natural History Museum. Rich collections are in the Railway Museum and the Postal Museum.

Notable is the building of St. George's Cathedral, founded in 1896. The Holy Trinity Cathedral houses the burial place of Emperor Haile Selassie. The largest Catholic cathedral is the Sagrada Familia. Here is the largest mosque in Ethiopia - Anwar.

Another attraction of the city is the Mercato market, founded during the Italian domination of Ethiopia.

The largest sports facility is the Addis Ababa Stadium, which hosted the 2008 African Athletics Championships.

9. People associated with the city

• Nikos Papatakis (born 1918) is a Greek film director. Born and spent his childhood in Addis Ababa.
• Liya Kebede (born 1978) - Ethiopian actress
• Moshe Abebe (born 1989) is an Ethiopian actor. He starred in the film Come, See and Become (2005).
• Denenesh Zude (born 1966) - actor, has starred in more than 21 films.
• Senet Ashenafi (born 1966) is an actress and cultural figure in Ethiopia.

10. Sister cities

Notes (edit)

1. Official estimate of the Ethiopian Central Statistical Office as of July 1, 2008 - www.csa.gov.et/text_files/national statistics 2007 / Population.pdf
2. Ethiopian Airlines will fly to Moscow - news.turizm.ru/ethiopia/9512.html

Addis Ababa −1940

Panorama of Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa from space

Addis Ababa

Shopping center "Bole Dembel"

Addis Ababa Theater

Hotel "Taitu"

Country	Ethiopia
Population	3 147 000 people (2008)
Official language	Amharic
Ethno-burial	resident of Addis Ababa
First mention	1887
Center height	2400 m
Square	530 km²
National composition	amhara, oromo
Former names	Finfin
Timezone	UTC + 3
Climate type	subequatorial
Density	5936 people / km²
Mayor	Kuma Demexa
Coordinates	Coordinates: 9 ° 01′38 ″ s. NS. 38 ° 44′13 ″ in. d. / 9.027222 ° N NS. 38.736944 ° E d. (G) (O) (I) 9 ° 01′38 ″ s. NS. 38 ° 44′13 ″ in. d. / 9.027222 ° N NS. 38.736944 ° E d. (G) (O) (I)
Founded	1886
Confessional composition	Monophysites, Muslims

Addis Ababa 1940

Panorama of Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa (amkh.) Is the capital of Ethiopia and the African Union, as well as its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity. With 3,627,934 inhabitants, it is the world's largest city located in a landlocked country. Has the status of a separate region of Ethiopia.

Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II at the request of his wife, Empress Taitu.

Addis Ababa is often referred to as the "Capital of Africa" ​​or "Paris of Africa" ​​due to its historical, political and diplomatic significance to the continent. The city is inhabited by people of many nationalities from different regions of Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromo, Tigrai, Somali and many others. The confessional composition of the population is also rich: Monophysites, Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Protestants and adherents of traditional African beliefs live here.

Addis Ababa is one of the highest mountain capitals in the world. The lowest point of the city - 2326 m, is located in the south of the city, where the Bole airport is located. The highest point is Mount Entoto with a height of 3000 m, located in the north of the city.

Demography

Addis Ababa from space

Based on data from the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency published in 2008, the population of Addis Ababa was 3,147,000, of which 1,511,000 were men and 1,636,000 were women. Currently, there are no rural areas in Addis Ababa, so 100% of the population is urban. It is home to 23% of the total urban population of Ethiopia. The area of ​​the city is 540 km2 and the population density is 5936 people / km2.

Since the last census of Ethiopia in 1994, the population of Addis Ababa has grown by almost 1 million inhabitants.

Addis Ababa

In 1994, the population of the capital was about 2.3 million inhabitants, of which 28,149 lived in the rural areas of the city. Representatives of many nationalities live in the capital. Among them stand out: Amhara - 48.3% of the population, Oromo - 19.2%, Gurage - 17.5%, Tigers - 7.6%. Monophysites make up 82% of the population, Muslims 12.7%, Protestants 3.9%, Catholics 0.8%.

Population dynamics of Addis Ababa:

• 1900 - 80,000 inhabitants
• 2008 - 3,147,000 inhabitants
• 1958-400,000 inhabitants
• 2002 - 1,700,000 inhabitants.
• 1968 - 664,000 inhabitants

Transport

Public transport consists of blue or white buses and minibuses. Route taxis are usually minibuses with a capacity of about 12 passengers. Each minibus has a conductor who collects the fare.

At the beginning of 2008, in cooperation with Russia, the first trolleybus route “Georodis - Adisu Gebei” was opened.

Bole International Airport serves Addis Ababa and nearby cities and is the country's main air gateway. In 2003, a new international passenger terminal was opened here - one of the most modern in Africa. It is also planned to open air communication between Addis Ababa and Moscow. To the west of the city is the old Lidet airport, currently used for military purposes and small aircraft.

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Imagine a situation - you have dreamed of visiting the exotic country of Yemen for many years. You fly there for almost a day with transfers, you already see yourself among the "skyscrapers of Arabia" in Wadi Hadhramaut. And so, having arrived, you will find out that the situation in the country is sharply aggravated and that for the entire duration of your stay in Yemen, you practically cannot go anywhere from its capital, the city of Sana'a. The tourist police office, once graciously issuing the appropriate "permits" (permits to move around the country), categorically declares to you: "No Shibam, no north of the country, and even Aden needs a permit. Even if you fly by plane." And I decide somewhere where I will be allowed to travel in peace, without harassing ridiculous restrictions.

Ethiopia is a controversial African country

I went to the Ethiopian Airlines office in the Yemeni capital and for $ 205 both ways bought a ticket to Addis Ababa for two and a half days. What did I hope to see in such a large and controversial African country in less than three days? I must admit right away that I knew a lot about Ethiopia.

Landscapes of Ethiopia

Moreover, even before the flight to Yemen, knowing about possible problems with movement, I took with me the Lonely Planet guide to East Africa. In addition, he devoted at least noon to searching and studying on the Internet everything connected with the legendary emperor of Abyssinia Haile Selassi, knew about Rastafarianism, about the strange connection between Ethiopian Orthodox Orthodoxy and Judaism (as well as about two hundred thousand black Ethiopian Jews living in Israel), I read about a million Ethiopians killed by Mussolini's troops in the period preceding World War II, knew about the civil war in Eritrea and its secession, knew about the disgraced communist leader Mongoose Mariam who fled to Zimbabwe.

Ethiopian sketches

I will not describe all of the above in detail - the reader is no more stupid than me and, if desired, can learn these things himself. But I'll tell you about my personal impressions and about a number of technical details related to visiting and staying in Ethiopia.

Arrival in Ethiopia

First of all, a visa can be obtained at the Bole Addis Ababa airport for citizens of 33 countries of the world, including Russia, Western Europe, the USA, Canada, Israel, Australia and a number of others. The procedure is simple - follow the "Visa on arrival" sign and enter your office. There are three lovely girls sitting at the computers. Give them your passport, a completed short migration form (you will be given it on the plane) and $ 20. A minute - and the visa is in your passport. Then you go to passport control, where they put a hefty, one-third of a page in size, entry stamp in your passport.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Further, if you arrived in the daytime, then after making your way through the crowds of taxi drivers, leave the airport building (by the way, the airport is absolutely modern, large and convenient!), Walk a couple of hundred meters to the highway and take any bus going to the city. Fortunately, the airport is located in the immediate vicinity of the capital and is not far away. It will cost you a paltry $ 0.1.

Capital Streets, Addis Ababa

But I must say right away that a trip on the Ethiopian city bus is not for the faint of heart - the people are dark, and we, with our white faces, will break all the notices for the attention to our own persons from the local population. However, the people are good-natured and perhaps overly curious about white guests. Nothing too scary. A taxi from the airport to the center of Addis Ababa costs at most 50 birr ($ 5). Do not trust the cunning drivers who will tell you about the gasoline that has risen in price. Everything is banal here - bargaining is necessary and even highly recommended.

Church in Ethiopia

Those for whom black Africa is their first experience of its kind should keep in mind that you will not be neglected anywhere. Especially outside the big cities. In most cases, attention to you will be expressed in extremely friendly greetings. In Addis Ababa, for example, by visiting the National Museum, you can make interesting new friends for yourself, since these kinds of places imply an appropriate cultural audience.

Waterfall, Ethiopia

Ethiopians are a unique African nation, unlike and like no other. The nation is very heterogeneous. Even the very name of the people "Ethiopians" is doubtful in its essence, since the country is inhabited by more than 80 (!) Different peoples, of which only less than half are Amharians (Ethiopians).

Addis Ababa

Ethiopians call their capital simply Addis (New), without adding Ababa (Flower). The city, frankly, is not a standard of cleanliness and comfort. A huge, four million African metropolis, where wide central avenues with glass skyscrapers of banks and shopping centers coexist with eerie slums. The city is devoid of any urban planning logic, and it is not always obvious whether you are on the outskirts of the bazaar or in the vicinity of the presidential palace. Everything is in a heap. Probably, there is a certain flavor in this.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa

In Addis Ababa, there are some uniquely worthy places to visit. First of all, the National Museum, which houses the best collection of artifacts on the continent, wonderful ethnological exhibitions and exhibits related to the archeology and history of East Africa. Be sure to go there.

Interior of the Cathedral in Addis Ababa

Interesting is the Ethnological Museum, the Addis Ababa Museum and the little-known but fascinating National Railway Museum, located next to the railway station. The latter is all the more indicative since the country has only one (but legendary!) Line leading from Addis to the neighboring state of Djibouti. Passenger trains run here, the age of which is older than our grandmothers, and the trip on them, according to the tourists I met, is a fascinating and controversial life experience. But remember that visas in Djibouti are not issued at the land border (but only at the airport), as well as visas to Ethiopia. So, if such a route is interesting, get all the necessary documents in advance. There is a Djibouti consulate in Addis.

Many people call this amazing city the "Paris of Africa" ​​because Addis Ababa plays an important historical, political and cultural role for the entire continent.

The name "Addis Ababa" in translation from the Amharic language means "new flower". This was the name of the new city, founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886, by the wife of the ruler - Taitu.

Addis Ababa is a cosmopolitan city. Representatives of many nationalities live here: Oromo, Sidamo, Amhara, Somali, Gurage, Tigers and other tribes. A large number of Italians live in the capital of the state. Amharic is considered the state language; it is used for teaching in educational institutions. Most of the population of the population professes Christianity and Islam (over 90%). The rest of the city's residents belong to the Hindu and Judaic religions.

Addis Ababa is home to the country's main manufacturing facilities. The main sectors of the city's economy are: woodworking, food, light industry.

In the capital of Ethiopia is located Addis Ababa University, many museums and the National Library.

The capital of Ethiopia stands out for its beautiful well-groomed streets, numerous parks and squares, which, in the sultry heat, shelter the residents of the city and its guests under their shadow. Addis Ababa is great for families and kids who love to frolic on the rides. The main direction of the tourism industry in the capital of Ethiopia is considered ecological tourism.

Climate

Located high above sea level, Addis Ababa has a mild temperate climate. Depending on the height of the terrain and on the direction of the wind, the thermometer in different parts of the city may show values ​​that differ by as much as 10 °. The average daily air temperature during the calendar year ranges from +15 ° C to +25 ° C, the humidity is high. Heavy rainfall occurs mainly in the summer months (June - September).

There are practically no seasonal temperature fluctuations in the city. There is no scorching heat and harsh cold weather here. Very rarely, frosts can be observed at night, and even then in the high areas of the capital.

You can make an unforgettable trip around the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, all year round. True, some experts recommend postponing your trip for the period from October to May. At this time, there are practically no tropical rains that can interfere with your vacation.

Nature

Addis Ababa is located on the slopes and foothills of the Entoto Mountains, located on Ethiopian highlands in the center of the country. One of the highest mountain capitals in the world is located at an altitude of more than 2,400 m above sea level. Near the northern border of Addis Ababa, but on the slopes Entoto, the magnificent park of the same name is spread. In this place, amazing eucalyptus forests grow, which were planted by order of Menelik II. In the vicinity of the capital of Ethiopia, there is an amazing Lake Zugala, located in the crater of a once extinct volcano. Zugala is surrounded by dense juniper forests, home to rare species of monkeys such as colobus. Not far from the city spreads nature reserve Menagesha with unique flora and fauna and magnificent Lake Wonchi- also in the crater of the volcano.

sights

Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa has many historical and cultural attractions that are of value not only for the country, but for the whole world. Some of them have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The main tourist attractions are Menelik II palace and Cathedral of Saint George built in the 19th century. A feature of this temple is its unusual for African culture, the shape of the structure - octagonal.

There are several museums in Addis Ababa. Of particular interest to foreign tourists is City Ethnographic Museum... There are several fascinating exhibitions about the life and culture of the peoples inhabiting Ethiopia.

The National Museum offers amazing exhibits - fossils, which are more than 3.5 million years old. It is worth noting that it is in the National Museum in Addis Ababa that a plaster copy is kept. Australopithecus Lucy... It is believed that this is the most ancient person whose remains have been found.

An excursion to African hall which today acts as headquarters of the UN Economic Council... This building attracts tourists with its huge, richly painted stained glass windows.

For tourists from Russia, a particularly pleasant surprise will be monument to Alexander Pushkin... Experts believe that it is Ethiopia that is the historical homeland of the poet. A bronze bust, a gift from the Moscow government, was installed in the central district of Addis Ababa at the beginning of the 21st century. At the opening ceremony, poems of the great Russian poet sounded in the Russian and Amharic languages.

Nutrition

The cuisine of Addis Ababa completely repeats the culinary traditions of the Ethiopian people. Most of the dishes are prepared by local chefs with the addition of various hot spices and seasonings.

The menu of city restaurants can be safely called vegetarian (local residents try to observe numerous religious traditions, including not eating meat). The menu of each restaurant and cafe includes a variety of vegetable soups, side dishes, stewed and fresh vegetables, salads, etc.

However, every catering establishment will gladly offer you incredibly tasty meat dishes. The most popular among tourists are tybsy- fried pieces of beef or lamb, always served with a spicy sauce. The most famous exotic African dish is bryndo... This amazing treat doesn't require any special preparation. It is interesting that it is based on raw (necessarily steamed) meat, which is also served with a spicy sauce. By the way, in every restaurant in Addis Ababa, a visitor can order some special treat from any cuisine of the world, and it will certainly be prepared in front of your eyes. Lentils are a traditional garnish for all dishes.

Table setting in local restaurants looks very interesting. Instead of standard plates and cutlery, injera teff cake on which the main course is laid out. But the cafes and restaurants of Addis Ababa, constantly visited by foreign tourists, are always ready to provide the client with traditional forks and knives on demand.

The most popular drink in the Ethiopian capital is of course coffee... Interestingly, the drink was named after the Ethiopian province of Kafa, where this plant was first found. The process of treating foreign tourists to traditional Ethiopian coffee is an amazing ceremony that is as interesting as the famous tea ceremony in China. Before the eyes of the customer, coffee beans are roasted and ground, and then cooked exclusively in earthenware dishes over hot coals.

Many restaurants in Addis Ababa offer their visitors not only treats of national Ethiopian cuisine, but also the best dishes of the world cuisine. The cost of food in the capital of the country will delight any gourmet. A dinner for two in a middle-class restaurant will cost only $ 15-20, and in a street cafe you can have a great lunch and much cheaper - for about $ 5.

Accommodation

In Addis Ababa, there is a large number of hotels and inns of various classes. Here are the luxurious apartments of the hotels of the world brands of the hotel business. Hilton and Sheraton... The most popular among foreign tourists are Hilton Hotel Addis Ababa and Sheraton addis... These hotels offer their clients spacious and comfortable rooms with a full range of furniture and appliances. In addition, such establishments offer first-class restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, conference rooms, bars and discos to their visitors. It should be noted that living in these hotels will require considerable financial resources. A double room will cost about $ 150-200 per night.

Near Piazza you can stay in small but very comfortable hotels. However, the level of their comfort is significantly different from the hotels mentioned above. Some hotels may not have running water during summer, and some rooms do not even have windows. But the cost of such a room will be several times less. Before booking rooms, you should make sure what exactly is included in the room package.

Usually, accommodation in private hotels is somewhat cheaper than in government institutions. The approximate price for a hotel with an average level of service does not exceed $ 15-20.

Entertainment and recreation

Beautiful Addis Ababa offers its guests an exciting program. Most foreigners come to the capital of Ethiopia to get acquainted with its amazing architectural and historical sights. Palaces, cathedrals, temples - all this deserves the attention of foreign guests of the city. Numerous museums will tell about the culture and history of not only individual Ethiopia, but the entire continent.

Near Addis Ababa, there are the most beautiful national parks and reserves, which organize fascinating excursions to get acquainted with the fauna and flora of this wonderful land, far from civilization.

Lovers of a noisy and cheerful nightlife will find something to do in the city itself. Every year, the number of entertainment clubs, bars, discos and other establishments in Addis Ababa is increasing. The Ethiopian capital has a small cinema that shows films mainly in English and Italian.

Purchases

One of the main attractions of Addis Ababa is the local city ​​market Merkato... Many call it the largest market not only in Ethiopia, but throughout Africa. The market is big, noisy, colorful. However, one should warn: sellers here are trying to deceive a foreigner. So be careful. You can buy almost everything on the market: from donkeys and chickens to spices and coffee.

As a souvenir, foreign guests usually buy beautiful handicrafts, wicker boxes, figurines, bags, scarves, woolen carpets, painted trays and various little things depicting Ethiopian landmarks. The most popular were items made of gold and silver. It is worth noting that it is better to make such purchases only in state-owned stores that are licensed to trade in this product. In addition, government trade agencies must issue you with a special certificate that confirms the transaction. This document may be required at customs when returning home.

Most of Addis Ababa's shops are open from 8:00 to 20:00. Only a few large shopping centers cordially open their doors to visitors around the clock. Payment for purchases is carried out only in Ethiopian birr. It is better to exchange foreign currency at state exchange offices or banks, where there is no possibility of encountering counterfeit banknotes.

Transport

Public transport in Addis Ababa is represented by buses and minibuses. Minibuses come in two colors - yellow and blue. Yellow cars specialize in transporting foreign tourists. Usually, the drivers of such vehicles speak fluently at least English, or even know several foreign languages, which greatly facilitates communication with the guests of the capital. White minibuses carry only local citizens. Interestingly, the cost of travel in these two modes of transport is different. Foreign citizens will pay much more than local residents. A trip around the city will cost $ 1.5 for an Ethiopian, and as much as $ 4 for a foreign tourist.

Intercity bus transportation due to the peculiarities of the country's relief has not received proper development. The quality of the roads is poor, the speed is low, and the bus fleet is outdated.

There is a large international airport Bole near Addis Ababa, which receives and departs flights both in domestic traffic and internationally. Domestic flights are serviced by the local airline Ethiopian airlines. Domestic flights are only $ 50 one way.

Addis Ababa is connected to Djibouti by rail. Oddly enough, this is the only branch of the railway in the whole country. By the way, absolutely all passenger trains in this direction are overcrowded, therefore, to travel to Djibouti by rail, you must purchase a ticket in advance. The cost of the ticket directly depends on the class of the carriage and the distance of travel. The average ticket price does not exceed $ 25-40.

Connection

Telecommunication and communication systems in Addis Ababa have received intensive development in recent years. On the streets of the city, you will find machines that provide an opportunity to make a call within the country. For international negotiations, you must contact the post office. In large hotels and hotels, you can also call another country. However, the cost of this call will slightly exceed $ 1. The cost of a minute of a call within the country is about $ 0.25.

Mobile communication began to develop rapidly in the city. More and more people are becoming happy owners of cell phones. Communication of the GSM 900 standard in the city is provided by several operators at once, which, by the way, support international roaming of large world companies, including MTS and Beeline.

Today in Addis Ababa, special attention is paid to the development of Internet technologies. Today, several dozen internet cafes are open in the city. It is worth noting that the equipment used is often very old, the connection speed does not cause much delight among users. But the price for such services is about $ 2 per hour. Some especially large hotels offer their clients to use the Internet services, but its cost significantly exceeds the city level and is about $ 3.5 per hour of operation.

Security

Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, has a reputation for being a relatively safe city. Strictly religious locals will not commit serious offenses against foreign citizens. Although the facts of fraud and hooliganism are still periodically recorded. Crowded places, especially markets, are especially dangerous.

The Addis Ababa sanitation stop is poor. It is imperative to get vaccinated against malaria before arriving in the capital of Ethiopia.

The quality of food and tap water in Addis Ababa is also poor. This is primarily due to unconventional ways of storing food, which often leads to poisoning and intestinal infections. It is advisable to boil tap water (even for brushing your teeth), and fruits and vegetables purchased in local markets should be thoroughly rinsed before eating.

Business climate

In the capital of Ethiopia, the most promising types of business are tourism and construction. Many foreign investors prefer to invest their money in the development of these particular sectors of the Addis Ababa economy. The construction of hotel complexes and entertainment centers is considered the fastest return on investment. It is interesting that the local authorities are also willing to meet foreign businessmen halfway. Some bills were adopted that regulate the specifics of organizing joint ventures in the city and provide certain tax benefits.

Real estate

Today the real estate market in Addis Ababa is considered one of the most attractive in the whole of North Africa. An excellent mild climate, unique attractions, magnificent nature - all this makes potential buyers opt for the capital of Ethiopia.

Most people buy real estate property for the subsequent organization of a small hotel that can generate a stable income. Interestingly, the price level in Addis Ababa is in line with the cost of housing in some major European cities. So, the price per square meter of living space in the central regions is about $ 800. When buying real estate on the outskirts of the city, the price is approximately $ 600-650 per square meter.

Renting an apartment in the capital of Ethiopia will cost a tenant $ 200-300 per "odnushka" per month.

Traveling to such an amazing and attractive city as Addis Ababa requires tourists to follow certain rules of conduct. A strict religious society does not tolerate liberties and licentiousness. Even a married couple is not allowed to walk down the street holding hands. You cannot speak out loudly on religious topics and topics of the life of the local population. Ethiopians don't like criticism very much.

Currency exchange is best done at banks and state exchange offices. When buying souvenirs, it is worth remembering that it is strictly forbidden to export animal skins and products from them, goods made of ivory and rhino horn, gold and diamonds. However, in the presence of certain documentation, the customs authorities have the right to allow you to export the specified jewelry. The export of coffee beans also requires an accompanying certificate.

Various sources call the founder of the city of Addis Ababa either the Emperor of Ethiopia Menelik II or his wife Taita. A year later, his wife, who fell in love with bathing in hot springs, proposed another name for the city, more refined and poetic - Addis Ababa - "New Flower". Menelik, a loving husband and a devout Christian, decided: well, what a woman wants is what God wants, and besides, a flower is a symbol of hope. And he really hoped that the new capital of Ethiopia would eventually turn into the capital of all of Africa. In 1889 he became the emperor (king of kings, or Negus Negusi) of Ethiopia (Abyssinia). Taitu was with him, one might say, the chief architect. It was she who began the construction of the imperial palace and other buildings of the new capital of Ethiopia.
In 1974, another woman named Lcasi, who lived no less than 3.5-3.2 million years ago, made Addis Ababa known to the whole world as the city closest to the place in the Omo Valley where anthropologists The French-American expedition found the oldest skeleton of a hominid Australopithecus, in this case it was the bones of a woman 25-30 years old. Such bones were found approximately in the same place, as well as in Kenya, in the 1950s, but it was Lucy who became the symbol of the most ancient man on Earth, primarily because she was an upright hominid. It is established on the bones of the pelvis and lower extremities; its skeleton is 40% preserved, which is very rare. Why Lucy? - simply because anthropologists loved the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky in Diamonds." Reproduced from the bones found, Lucy's whole skeleton made of plaster and plastic, like the bones themselves, from the same materials (the original is kept in the Natural History Museum in Paris), can be seen in the National Museum in Addis Ababa, of which the city is extremely proud. Another object of his pride is the eucalyptus groves, the beginning of which was laid by Menelik II.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Italy is a separate story, these relations were complicated: there were conflicts, peace treaties were concluded, then enmity flared up again. The last conflict of the XX century. directly touched Addis Ababa. During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War of 1935-1936. On May 5, 1936, the Italians occupied the city and made it the capital of Italian East Africa, on April 6, 1941, British troops and the Ethiopian rebels against the colonialists liberated the city, and Emperor Haile Selassie I (1892-1975) returned to the capital, having specially timed his entry into the city at the head of units of the Ethiopian army and partisans by May 5, 1941
The city has changed noticeably in recent years - there are many beautiful and even luxurious buildings. This is the so-called "Paris of Africa". But it is only a short distance away, and here it is - another Africa: adobe houses - chika - with corrugated iron roofs, with an earthen floor. Skinny goats graze nearby and donkeys wander around with jugs of water and bundles of brushwood on their backs. It happens that the townspeople cut down and eucalyptus - for firewood. To some extent, they can be understood - in most of the city there is no central heating system, as well as water supply and sewerage. And although Addis Ababa, or in common parlance Addis, is called the "city of eternal spring" (the average temperature here is between +16 - + 19 ° C all year round), the nights, in high mountain conditions, are very cool, the inhabitants of the chick have to cook food on primitive stoves or even on a fire. But you can never give up your hopes. That is not why God created us, they say.
Since the 1960s, Addis Ababa has been called the "House of Africa".
Menelik II's dream came true - in 1963 in Addis Ababa the Charter of African Unity was adopted and a confederation of African states - the Organization of African Unity (OAU) with headquarters in Addis Ababa was created. The OAU proclaimed its programmatic goals to strengthen the unity and solidarity of African states, protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and encourage international cooperation. In 2002, the OAU was dissolved, for the reason that, in the opinion of the opponents of the heads of state, in their homeland it turned into a “union of dictators”. The African Union became the legal successor of the OAU, which united 54 African states. In addition, Addis Ababa hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches and 120 other various foreign missions and representations.
- the stronghold of Christianity In Africa, and almost 75% of its population is of the Orthodox faith. Orthodoxy in Ethiopia has its own specifics, its name, according to church vocabulary, is Monophysitism, from the ancient Greek words "monos" - "one" and "physite" - "nature, nature." The Monophysite Christological doctrine was founded by Archimandrite Eutychios of Constantinople in 451. According to it, in Jesus Christ the divine principle swallowed up the human, he is the essence of God. The practice of Monophysitism includes some norms of Judaism and Islam: Saturday is celebrated, there is a ban on pork, boys are circumcised on the eighth day of life. There is a difference in rituals compared to the Russian Orthodox Church. Sermons are sung here, men and women pray separately: women on the right side of the temple, men on the left, etc.
Ethiopians believe that they are a people especially close to Heaven: after all, God gave them the highlands. The Ethiopian sacred "Book of the Glory of Kings" (XII century) contains a legend about the love of the Queen of Sheba (Ethiopians call her Makeda) and King Solomon. The Queen of Sheba is the ruler of the Arabian kingdom of Sava (Sheba), which had colonies in Abyssinia. The Bible describes her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, but there is no information about a close relationship between them. And the Ethiopian legend says that the Queen of Sheba spent several months in Jerusalem and upon her return to Aksum gave birth to a son. It was he (Menelik I) who allegedly became the ancestor of the royal dynasty of Ethiopia (Abyssinia). All of its emperors considered themselves their descendants and bore the title "Lion of Judea". Menelik I, according to another legend, when he grew up, entered his father's house and cunningly lured away from him the sacred Ark of the Covenant with the commandments of Moses.It is believed that the Ark is kept in Axum, in the temple of the Mother of God of Zion, under the protection of monks, although no one has ever seen it ... The symbol of the Tabot Ark was stolen by the British in the mountain fortress of Magdala in 1868. In 2002 it was discovered in Edinburgh, returned to Ethiopia and placed in the Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of St. George. This cathedral is also remarkable as an architectural structure. He is octahedral, the Italian architect Sebastiano Castagna created it, focusing on African architecture, as he understood it. There is a museum at the cathedral, where stained-glass windows by the famous Ethiopian artist Afuorka Tekle and a collection of weapons used in the wars with the Italians are exhibited, besides guns, there are also curved swords, tridents and helmets decorated with lion's manes.
Ethiopia is a poor country. Its 2011 GDP per capita in PPP was $ 1,092, and its nominal value was $ 365. Almost half of the country's population is illiterate, the uncontrolled influx of peasants into the capital will continue, and it is extremely difficult to find work in the provinces. And this is what attentive travelers notice: if a few years ago these people wore slippers from car tires, now they wear cheap but real shoes.

general information

Capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union.
Has the status of a separate region of the country.

Date of foundation: 1886

Administrative divisions: 10 districts.

Languages: Amharic (official), other languages ​​of communication - Oromo, Gurage, Tigers, English.
Ethnic composition: Among the representatives of about 80 African ethnic groups living in Addis Ababa, Amhara stands out - 47% of the population, Oromo - 19.5%, Gurage - 16.3%, Tigers - 6.2%, Silte - 2.9%, Geez - 1.7%.

Religions: Christians - Orthodox (Monophysites) - 74.7%, Protestants - 7.8%, Catholics - 0.5%; Muslims - 16.2%, traditional African beliefs.

Currency unit: Ethiopian birr.

There are no rivers in the city, it is supplied with water from small mountain rivers.
The most important airport: Bole international airport.

Numbers

Area: 527 km 2.
Population: 3,041,002 (2012), in the agglomeration - about 5 million.
Population density: 5770.5 people / km 2.
Center height: 2400 m.
Lowest point: 2326 m.
Highest point: Mount Engoto (3200 m).

Climate and weather

Subequatorial, mountainous.

Average January temperature:+ 16 ° C.

Average temperature in July:+ 16.2 ° C.

Average annual rainfall: 1010 mm.

Depending on the height above sea level of a particular part of the city and the prevailing winds, the air temperature in them may differ by 10 ° C. Despite the proximity to the equator, there is no extreme heat in Addis Ababa, the temperature sometimes drops below 0 ° C, but extremely rarely.

The rainy season is from February to May.

Economy

Shopping and transportation center of Ethiopia.

Industry: chemical, cement, printing, textile, metalworking, plastic processing, food, tobacco.
Addis Ababa can be considered partly an agricultural city (animal husbandry).
Service sector: financial and insurance services, trade, tourism.

sights

■ Religious buildings: Orthodox Cathedrals of St. George (1896), Holy Trinity (1942), Catholic Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church of St. George of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church (1935), Medechanialm Cathedral, Anvar Mosque (1930- e yy).
■ Building: Palace of Menelik II (1894), National Palace (residence of the President), House of Africa (stained glass window "Africa: before, now and in the future" A. Tekle, area 150 mg), where important international conferences are held, National Library, National Theater , Theater Hager-Fikir.
■ Museums: National, Archaeological, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa, Ethnographic, Natural History, Railway. Mail.
■ Addis Mercato Market.
■ Zoo "Lion's Cave", which contains the rare Abyssinian lions with a black mane.
■ In the vicinity - Menegash National Park.

Curious facts

■ On December 28 and July 26, festivities in honor of the Archangel Gabriel are held in Orthodox churches in Addis Ababa. On these days, people bring candles and umbrellas to the church. The collected umbrellas are taken to the market by church officials and handed over to traders for sale. The money raised goes to the needs of the temples and to help the poor.

■ There is a street of Russian Doctors in Addis Ababa. It was named so in honor of those who worked in the first medical institution of the city and country - the Russian hospital - in 1898-1906. In 1947, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society of the USSR opened a public hospital named after Dejazmach Balch in Addis Ababa. Balcha Hospital is a Russian Red Cross hospital, a multidisciplinary clinic that still operates in Addis Ababa today.

■ The remains of Emperor Haile Selassie I are buried in the chapel of the Holy Trinity Church. The chapel, as well as the Cathedral of St. George, where this Negus was crowned, is a place of pilgrimage for Rastamans who worship him as the prophet of the god Jah. Rastafarianism is a religious movement associated with reggae music. The term "Rastafari" itself originated from the name Ras (prince) Tafari, which was worn by Haile Selassie until his coronation in 1930.
■ The Hager-Fikir Theater stage plays from the classical European repertoire - works by Shakespeare, Schiller and Moliere.
■ According to the Ethiopian calendar, each of the 12 months has 30 days and there are five or six epagomenal days (not included in any month of the year - according to the Alexandrian calendar) at the end of the year, usually allocated in the 13th month. The number of epagomenal days determines whether it is a simple year or a leap year. Years are counted from August 29, A.D. 8. NS. according to the Julian calendar. Ethiopia entered the third millennium on September 11, 2008. On New Year's Eve - Enktutatasha - in the evening on the main square of the city a huge fire, up to six meters high, is lit from the trunks and branches of eucalyptus.

Dallol volcano in the north of Ethiopia holds the palm for the title of the most unusual place on the planet in several ways. It is the lowest volcano, its crater is located almost fifty meters below sea level. The diameter of the crater is about one and a half kilometers.

Dallol is located in a place that is considered the hottest place on Earth, with an average annual temperature of thirty-four degrees. The landscape created by this amazing volcano can also be considered completely unique. The hills surrounding the crater are covered with salt deposits of the most unimaginable colors - lemon yellow, emerald green, blood red, pale orange fields and pillars of salt create an unearthly landscape, as if descended from the pages of a science fiction novel.

Unfortunately, the Dallol volcano is also one of the most inaccessible attractions on the planet. Located at a considerable distance from any settlements, in an area completely devoid of roads, the volcano is also guarded by the inhabitants of the Ethiopian tribe of Tribes, who do not particularly like explorers and tourists.

Dire Daua Market

Hole Daua Market is the largest bazaar on the African continent. It is a large center for trade in Harer coffee, grain, cattle, jewelry, carpets, and various souvenirs. The market is located in the city of Hole Dawa, which was founded in 1902 as a major railway transport hub connecting the capital of Addis Ababa with the city of Djibouti.

The Hole Daua market is one of the attractions of the African country of Ethiopia. Jewelry made of gold and silver, with the addition of precious stones, elegant boxes, national handmade carpets, figurines and souvenirs with the symbols of the city and the country will be very interesting for tourists. Shopping is done in Ethiopian birr. Jewelry made of precious metals and stones must be purchased in stores with a certificate issued, which may be required to be presented to customs.

And now the city of Dyre Dawa has, the oldest in Ethiopia, a textile factory, a cement plant, a railway workshop, and an enterprise for processing ground coffee. The African flavor of the city, along with the Hole Daua market, is emphasized by the quarters of the old city.

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Mercato Market

Mercato in Addis Ababa is the largest market not only in Ethiopia, but also in Africa. It has been named after the Italian occupation in the 1930s. It's a huge area filled with open-air stalls where you can buy anything from fruits to jewelry.

The market area is impressive - several square kilometers. More than seven thousand retail outlets open here every day, more than thirteen thousand merchants work in shops, small shops and just in the open air. It's easy to get lost in the intricacies of market quarters - there is no system. Sellers are often quite assertive, especially if they notice that you are showing interest in their product. You will be offered thousands of unnecessary things, the purpose of which will remain a mystery.

Along with products made of leather, metal, wood, livestock, clothing, food products are sold and bought here. Excellent quality coffee, whole beans and ground, is worth it to spend some Ethiopian birrs (although dollars are also welcome here). Feel free to bargain - the initial price is usually overpriced. You will not offend the seller with this, and you will save money (sometimes very significant).

Mercato Market is noisy and loud, but at the same time very colorful. You can come here to see the real life of the people without a touch of tourist romance, here you can still feel the national spirit of Africa. And if you are attentive, you can always find something interesting, for example, an old coin or some wonderful piece of jewelry to commemorate this country.

The Ethnographic Museum at the Ethiopian Research Institute is located in the old palace of the late Emperor Hayley Selassie. In addition to its educational value, this elegant building undoubtedly also has great artistic value. This is the first modern European-style palace. The museum is located on two floors, including the late emperor's bedroom, and is an ethnographic section on the basement floor and an art gallery on the second floor.

The museum showcases the cultural heritage of over 80 language groups. The exposition is structured in two directions. The first is devoted to the general socio-economic conditions of the country and shows the production tools and some folk crafts. The second part is a tour of the country, which presents various exhibits from each region of Ethiopia.

Palace of Africa

The Palace of Africa is located in the capital of Ethiopia, the city of Addis Ababa. The Palace of Africa is located in Ethiopia, as it is the oldest state in Africa and in the entire Middle East region and the only Christian country on the African continent.

The modern name of the country comes from "Aytiopia", which in translation from Greek means "the country of the sunburned". Another feature of the country - the capital of Addis Ababa is located in the center of Ethiopia at an altitude of 2440 m. This is one of the highest mountain capitals in the world. Addis Ababa is also called the capital of Africa due to its political, historical and diplomatic importance to the continent.

Visit the Palace of Africa in Addis Ababa and you will see the 150 square meters designed by Aferwerk Tekle. In 2003, on the street named after A.S. Pushkin, a monument was erected to him, since it was in Ethiopia that the great-grandfather of the great Russian poet Ibrahim Hannibal, who was presented to Peter I by the Turkish Sultan, once lived.

National Museum of Ethiopia

The National Museum of Ethiopia is located near Addis Ababa University and is the main museum in Ethiopia. The museum exhibits national works of art and valuable archaeological finds. For example, the remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is "Lucy", a partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus afarensis.

The museum began with a permanent exhibition, opened in 1936, showing ceremonial costumes donated by the royal family and their loved ones. The second stage in the formation of the museum was a subdivision of the Institute of Archeology, founded in 1958 to organize archaeological research in the country. And already based on the results of the excavations, a modern exposition of the museum was organized, which was gradually replenished with new exhibits.

There are currently four main sections in the museum. The basement is dedicated to archaeological and paleoanthropological discoveries. The first floor showcases artifacts dating back to the ancient period and the Middle Ages, as well as regalia and memorabilia from former rulers. The second floor displays works of art in chronological order, from traditional to contemporary works by Ethiopian artists. Finally, on the third floor, there is an ethnographic exhibition dedicated to the culture of the peoples of Ethiopia.

Avash river

The Awash River flows through Ethiopia, a state in northeastern Africa with a rich culture and history. Great contribution to the study of the river was made by the Englishman Wilfred Teziger, who organized an expedition along its banks in the 30s of the XX century.

Since ancient times, the river valley has been inhabited by humans. As a result of archaeological expeditions, numerous finds were made here, up to 4 million years old. During floods, the river level rises by 15 ... 20 meters. The river has great energy potential, as evidenced by the experience of operating a hydroelectric power station, built in 1960, 75 kilometers from the city of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. After the construction of the dam, a large reservoir was formed.

Cotton and sugar cane are grown on the fertile lands in the river valley. The national park of the same name, famous for its populations of gazelles and antelopes, adjoins the banks of the river.

Mount Bale National Park

Mount Bale National Park is located in central Ethiopia, in the Oromia region. The park was founded in 1970 on the territory of the mountains of the same name. The reserve is home to the mountain nyala and the Ethiopian jackal, which are on the verge of extinction and are real gems of the region.

Mount Bale National Park covers an area of ​​2,220 square kilometers and is home to the highest peak of the Batu ridge. The flora of the reserve is unique and diverse; here you can see dense bushes, impenetrable forests, and picturesque green meadows. The Sanetti Plateau, located in the central part of the reserve, is home to Afro-Alpine plants, wildflowers and Abyssinian roses, known for their delicate color and delicate aroma.

You can drive through the park along the few mountain roads, ride a horse or go for a walk.

Awash National Park

Awash National Park is located in the central part of Ethiopia, 225 kilometers from the capital. The park was founded in 1966 near the extinct volcano Fentale. Avash National Park is an amazing miraculous natural monument and occupies a vast territory with a total area of ​​over 756 square kilometers. Today the reserve is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

On the territory of the park, there are Filvoh hot springs and amazing waterfalls, acacia groves grow here and about 46 species of animals live. While walking through this picturesque nature reserve, you can get acquainted with wild pigs, Somali gazelles, giant turtles, monkeys and tiny dik-dik antelopes, whose adults reach a height of only 40 centimeters. In addition to funny and graceful animals, there are about 350 species of birds. In the Kidu Valley, near the hot springs, you can see a unique landscape of palm oases.

Bole International Airport

Bo "le International Airport is the main airport of Ethiopia, located in the suburb of Addis Ababa - Bole, at an altitude of more than 2000 m. Previously called - International Airport Haile Selassie I. It is the home airport of Ethiopia's national air carrier - Ethiopian Airlines. Flights are carried out to European countries, Asia, Africa and North America.

In 2003, a new international passenger terminal was opened here - one of the largest in Africa. Together with the new terminal, a new runway with a length of 3,800 m was put into operation.

In 2007, the airport handled 2,837,543 passengers.

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