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FACTS

Land

Ethiopia, as large as France and Spain combined, has an area of 1,112,000 square kilometers. About 65 per cent of the land is arable, with 15 per cent presently cultivated.

Climate

There are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to September.

Topography

Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2000 and 3000 meters. In the north and center of the country there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4000 metres. The most famous Ethiopian River is the Blue Nile (Or Abbay), which runs a distance of 1450 kilometers from its source in Lake Tana, to join the White Nile at Khartoum.

Transport

Roads: There are some 4100 kilometers of asphalt roads with a further 19000 kilometers of gravel and dry-weather roads.

Railway

A 778-kilometers long railway line links Addis Ababa with Djibouti, and carries both freight and passengers.

Air

Ethiopian Airlines has an extensive domestic network flying to 43 airfields and in additional 1221 landing strips.

Economy

About 90 per cent of the population earn their living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. There is also a thriving livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof and hides and skins.

Language

Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. The main three languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna. English is also widely spoken.

Electric

Ethiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.

Time: Ethiopia is in the GMT+3 hours time zone. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists o twelve months of 30 days each and a thirteenth month of five or six days.

People

The population is estimated at 60 million, over 50 per cent of whom are under 20 years old. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 49.

Hotels

Addis Ababa has hotels that cater for all pockets, from the luxurious Sheraton and Hilton hotels to the tourist-class hotels such as the Ghion, the Ethiopia and the Wabi Shebelle. All tourist resorts offer a choice of modern hotels.

Visa

Visas are required for all visitors to Ethiopia (except nationals of Djibouti and Kenya) and can be obtained from Ethiopian diplomatic missions abroad. Except in the case of a few nations, passengers transiting Ethiopia within 72 hours only for connection purpose, holding confirmed onward booking and entry visa for the country of their destination can obtain a transit a visa on arrival. However, in this case, passports are held at the airport until departure and a pink-colored receipt card issued.

Currency

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr, made up of 100 cents. Visitors may import an unlimited amount of foreign currency, providing declaration of such currency (on the appropriate blue-colored form) is made to Customs on arrival. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The currency declaration form must be retained, as this will be required by Customs on departure. Visitors, however, will be able to change back any excess Ethiopian Birr to foreign currency at the airport before departure. If you do have Ethiopian Birr to cash in at the airport, you must, in addition to the currency declaration form, bring with you all receipts for exchange transactions.

Customs

Duty-free import is permitted for up to: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or ½ 1b 1b of tobacco 1 litter of alcoholic beverages ½ litter, or two bottles, of perfumes. Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding E. Birr 500, although some articles (Such as animal skins and antiques) require an export permit.

Taxis

The taxis are luxury Mercedes limousines. They are stationed outside all the major hotels and at the airport. They have fixed rates and a receipt is given for the fare. Health requirements: Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.