Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ityop'iya, Amharic ኢትዮጵያ) is a country of northeastern Africa. It has one of the most extensive known histories as an independent nation in the continent. Unique among African countries, the Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule throughout the twentieth century, with the exception of the Italian occupation of 1936–1941.

Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ

(In Detail) (Full size)
Official language	Amharic
Capital	Addis Ababa
President	Girma Wolde-Giorgis
Prime Minister	Meles Zenawi
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 26th 1,127,127 km² 0.7%
Population  -Total  -Density	Ranked 16th 67,673,031 60.0/km²
Currency	Birr (ETB)
Time zone	UTC +3
National anthem	Whedefit Gesgeshi Woude Henate Ethiopia (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)
Internet TLD	.ET
Calling Code	251

History

Main article: History of Ethiopia

In 1974 a pro-Soviet Marxist-Leninist military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie, who had ruled since 1930, and established a one-party socialist state. The ensuing regime suffered several bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problem. It was eventually defeated in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces under the name Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In 1994 a constitution was adopted leading to Ethiopia's first multiparty elections in the following year. A border war with Eritrea (a nation which separated from Ethiopia in 1992) erupted in May 1998. This has hurt the nation's economy but since strengthened the ruling coalition.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Ethiopia

Regions

Main article: Regions of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is divided into 9 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akabibi) and 2 chartered cities*:

Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara, Benishangul/Gumaz; Dire Dawa*; Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region; Tigray; Shewa; Gojjam

Geography

Main article: Geography of Ethiopia

Economy

Main article: Economy of Ethiopia

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Ethiopia

Culture

Main article: Culture of Ethiopia

• Cuisine of Ethiopia
• Music of Ethiopia

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Ethiopia
• Transportation in Ethiopia
• Military of Ethiopia
• Foreign relations of Ethiopia

External links and references

• CIA World Factbook page (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/et.html)
• University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center Ethiopia page (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Ethiopia.html)
• Zeal profiles over 300 relevant websites (http://zeal.com/category/preview.jhtml?cid=559917)
• http://www.St-Takla.org Saint Takla Haymanout the Ethiopian Coptic Orthodox Church, Alexandria - Egypt
• http://www.EthioNetworks.com Ethio Networks - websites in Amharic (Ethiopian official language)

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