Geography  ( 5 items )

The terrain of Ethiopia includes massive highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by Great Rift Valley running generally southwest to northeast and surrounded by lowlands, steppes, or semi-desert, northeastern coastline of about 960 kilometers along the Red Sea. Great terrain diversity determines wide variations in climate, soils, natural vegetation, and settlement patterns.

National parks  ( 9 items )

With 14 major wildlife reserves, Ethiopia provides a microcosm of the entire sub-Saharan ecosystem. Bird life abounds, and indigenous animals from the rare Walia ibex to the shy wild ass, roam free just as nature intended. Ethiopia, after the rains, is a land decked with flowers and with many more native plants than most countries in Africa.

Wildlife  ( 1 items )

Animal lovers must visit Ethiopia, because in spite of the fact that the number of mammals and birds is but a shadow of ancient populations, it is still a magnificent place to enjoy the great variety of animal species that move freely in their own habitats.

Archeology  ( 1 items )

The history of Ethiopia begins with Lucy. Lucy was a female hominoid who lived in what is now called the Awash Valley in Hadar some 3.2 million years ago. The skeleton was discovered in 1974. Lucy’s scientific name is Australopithecus Afarensis. The first word means “Southern Ape” and the second word signifies she was discovered in the Afar region.

Climate  ( 3 items )

The climate of Ethiopia is varied. Elevation and geographic location produce three climatic zones: cool zone where temperatures range from near freezing to 16° C; temperate zone with temperatures from 16° C to 30° C; hot zone with daytime temperatures ranging from 27° C to 50° C. Normal rainy season from mid-June to mid-September (longer in the southern highlands) preceded by intermittent showers from February or March; remainder of year generally dry.