ETHIOPIA

ETHIOPIA NM

The people are beautiful, dozens of cultures but one of the worst for begging and annoyances. Viewed as a walking lottery ticket and follow, begging for money and shouting, “you you you! money money money”

SEE
North: Lalibela with its rock-cut monolithic churches & Christian history.
Gondar famous castles. Bahir Dar.
Simien mountains. Spectacular hiking and views off the escarpment, like a greener grand canyon, infested with monkeys. Insist that foreigners aren’t allowed to use public transport. Take a tuk tuk both ways into the park: a 4×4 which isn’t necessary.
Lake Tana: source of the Blue Nile.
Our Lady Mary of Zion. Mysterious chapel of the tablet guarded by a group of virgins reported to contain the Ark of the Covenant. Forbidden to be viewed but is a chest covered in gold containing the original two stones with the 10 commandments written by Moses.

Bale Mountains just nice, rent a car and driver, but refuse to let me start before sunrise. Guide  scammed  pay for his services at the park office, but not to worry because he would take my money to them. Like I said, completely inept at actually scamming.
North east. Danakil Depression. Visited from Semera Erta Ale.North-east – natural colours, salt lakes and hot springs. Dallol, the hottest human settlement on earth. Somali terrorist group, Al Shabab, so need guides with an armed escort – $300US a few years ago has now quadrupled to $1200US.
Erta Ale, the most active volcano in the country. People are fascinating; the men sharpen their teeth
East. Islamic holy city of Harar. Famous as a place to feed wild hyenas.
South. Omo Valley. South ethnically diverse with unique rural tribes. Prices 4X. People work as models. Experience dependent on which villages you visit (frequently visited or far away); appreciative that I was shaking hands and eating their food and really wanted to know about their life. Some pay 10x what I did and seemed to have a terrible time. You can’t pay your way into everything in life. Surma tribe as the road was washed out.

Great Rift Valley wildlife, animals & national parks.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆. Ethiopia hoards US dollars and financial institutions it’s illegal to give any out, May get some at the National Bank of Ethiopia, providing proof of future departure and hours of endless paperwork.

𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗮𝗿 limited to the north Tigray.

Yod Abyssinia restaurant.famous traditional music and dance show at the

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

2nd century AD – Kingdom of Axum becomes a regional trading power lasting for aprox 900 years.

4th century – Christianity becomes state religion.

1270 – Solomonic dynasty formed claiming descent from the biblical story of King Solomon of Israel and Queen of Sheeba. They had a son, Menelik I, who is titled as first emperor.

1530-31 – Muslim leader Ahmad Gran conquers much of Ethiopia.

1855 – The Ethiopian Empire is re-formed and invades dozens of other tribal territories forming its current borders and making it an ethnically diverse state.

1889 – Menelik II signs a friendship treaty with Italy, which Italy interprets as a protectorate. Ethiopia rejects this interpretation.

1889 – Addis Ababa becomes Ethiopia’s capital.

𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀

1895 – Italy invades Ethiopia, but its forces are defeated the following year at Adwa. Italy recognises Ethiopia’s independence but retains control over Eritrea.

1935 – Under Mussolini, fascist Italy invades Ethiopia again, this time using chemical weapons (mustard gas) and massacring civilians. During its occupation, they were never able to control the whole country including most rural area’s.

𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻

1941 – British and Commonwealth troops aided by the Ethiopian resistance defeat the Italians, and restore Haile Selassie, the previous emperor before occupation.

1952 – United Nations federates Eritrea with Ethiopia.

1962 – Haile Selassie annexes Eritrea, which becomes an Ethiopian province.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿

1973-74 – An estimated 200,000 people die in a northern region as a result of famine.

1974 – Haile Selassie is overthrown in a military coup, and dies in custody the following year.

1977 – Communist dictator, Colonel Mengistu, takes over with his pro-Soviet military regime.

1977-79 – Thousands of government opponents die in “Red Terror” orchestrated by Col Mengistu; collectivisation of agriculture begins; northern Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) launches war for regional autonomy.

1977 – Somalia invades Ethiopia’s eastern region, and are defeated the following year with massive help from the Soviet Union and Cuba.

1984-85 – Dictator Mengistu responds to TPLF resistance by blocking food aid to northern region, by weaponizing starvation, one of the worst famines of the 20th century happens with over 1 million dead.

July 1985 – Live Aid concert – unfortunately what most of us remember about Ethiopia, a massive concert with all of the world’s top musicians (the world at that time was the US and UK) big names such as Queen, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Elton John, David Bowie, U2, The Who, Madonna, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and many more played in one big 16 hour concert which was the first of it’s kind televised in 110 countries to over 1 billion people. It raised 127 million to fight famine in Ethiopia & Africa.

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂

1991 – Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front captures Addis Ababa, forcing President Mengistu to flee the country.

1993 – Eritrea becomes independent following referendum.

1994 – New constitution divides Ethiopia into ethnically-based regions.

1995 – Meles Zenawi assumes post of prime minister.

𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮

1999-2000 – Ethiopian-Eritrean border war, which is eventually resolved in 2018.

2005 – First section of Axum obelisk, looted by Italy in 1937, is returned to Ethiopia from Rome.

2006 November – Ethiopian troops enter Somalia to oust al-Shabab Islamists controlling large parts of the country.

2006 December – Exiled former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam is convicted of genocide at the end of a 12-year trial. He is later sentenced to death.

2012 – Prime Minister Meles Zenawi dies. Succeeded by Foreign Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

2016 – Government declares state of emergency following months of violent anti-government protests.

2018 – As anti-government protests continue, Prime Minister Desalegn resigns.

𝗔𝗯𝗶𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀

2018 April – Abiy Ahmed, an ethnic Oromo, prime minister. political reform

2018 May-June – Government releases thousands of political prisoners, and lifts state of emergency.

2018 July – Ethiopia and Eritrea declare their war is over as Ethiopia agrees to evacuate disputed territory.

2018 October – The government signs a peace deal with the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front, ending a 34-year armed rebellion. Parliament elects Sahle-Work Zewde as Ethiopia’s first woman president, and first female head of state since Empress Zawditu (1928-1930).

2019 Dec – Abiy Ahmed awarded a Nobel Peace Prize with efforts to unite more than 80 different ethnic groups across Ethiopia.

2020 November. Tigray – a state election deemed unconstitutional escalate to a civil war.

Ethiopia – Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA World Capitals World Cities and Popular Towns

Urban Legends

Meskel Square

Unity Park

Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars

Addis Ababa Light Rail

Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway

History, Culture, National and City Museums

Addis Ababa: Ethnological Museum

Addis Ababa: National Museum of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa: The Africa Unbound Museum

Castles, Palaces, Forts: Addis Ababa: Jubilee Palace

Vestiges of the Past: Washa Mikael Rock Hewn Church

Art Museums: Addis Ababa: Zoma Museum

Religious Temples

Addis Ababa: Entoto Maryam Church

Addis Ababa: Holy Trinity Cathedral

Addis Ababa: Kiddus Raguel Church

Addis Ababa: Medhane Alem Cathedral

Addis Ababa: St. George’s Cathedral

Monuments

Addis Ababa: Bob Marley Statue

Addis Ababa: Monument to the Lion of Judah

Addis Ababa: Tiglachin monument

Addis Ababa: Yekatit 12 Monument

Zoos: Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa Lion Zoo

Botanical Gardens: Addis Ababa: Gulele Botanical Garden

Markets

Addis Ababa: Merkato Market

Addis Ababa: Shola Market

The Dark Side: Addis Ababa: Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum

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Ethiopia – Somali (Jijiga)

Borders

Djibouti-Ethiopia

Ethiopia-Kenya

Ethiopia-Somalia

XL: Ogaden Triangle (Domo, Geladi)

African Cities

JJIGA

Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars

Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway

Rivers

Dawa River

Jubba River

Shebelle River

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Ethiopia – Afar (Semera)

World Heritage Sites: Lower Valley of the Awash

Borders

Djibouti-Ethiopia

Eritrea-Ethiopia

XL: Afar Depression (Dalol area)

Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway

World of Nature

Awash NP

Dallol Volcano Landscape

Erta Ale

Mile Serdo Wildlife Reserve

Yangudi-Rassa NP

Lakes

Abbe Lake

Lake Karoum

Rivers

Awash River

Indigenous Peoples: Afars

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Ethiopia – Oromia (Adama, south, west)

Tentative WHS

Bale Mountains National Park (13/03/2008)

Dirre Sheik Hussein Religious, Cultural and Historical Site (14/12/2011)

Holqa Sof Omar: Natural and Cultural Heritage (Sof Omar: Caves of Mystery) (14/12/2011)

Melka Kunture and Bachilt Archaeological Site (27/12/2012)

Borders

Ethiopia-Kenya

Ethiopia-South Sudan

XL: Moyale

African Cities

ADAMA (NAZRET) World Cities and Popular Towns

Religious Temples: Adama: St. Mary Church

ASELLA
BISHOFTU
JIMMA

Castles, Palaces, Forts

Jimma: Abba Jiffar Palace

NEKEMTE
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Nekemte: Kumsa Moroda Palace

SHASHAMANE

Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway

Vestiges of the Past: Melka Kunture

Religious Temples: Semien Shewa Zone: Debre Libanos Monastery

World of Nature

Abijata Lakes NP

Bale Mountains NP

Didessa Wildlife Sanctuary

Harenna Forest

Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

Caves and Sinkholes: Sof Omar Cave

Lakes

Lake Abaya

Lake Abijatta

Lake Zway

Rivers

Awash River

Omo River

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Ethiopia – Oromia – East Herarge (Dire Dawa, Harar)

World Heritage Sites: Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town

African Cities

DIRE DAWA World Cities and Popular Towns

Religious Temples: Dire Dawa: St. Augustine Cathedral
Railway Museums: Dire Dawa: Railway Museum

HARAR World Cities and Popular Towns

Airports: Dire Dawa (DIR)

House and Biographical Museums: Harar: Rimbaud’s House & Museum

Religious Temples: Kulubi: St. Gabriel Church

Monuments: Harar: Emir Nur’s Tomb

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Ethiopia – Amhara East (Lalibela, Dessie)

Religious Temples: Degosay: Yemrehana Krestos Church

African Cities

DEBRE BIRHAN
DESSIE/KOMBOLCHA

LALIBELA World Cities and Popular Towns

World Heritage Sites: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

Airports: Lalibela (LLI)

Religious Temples Lalibela: Church of St. George

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Ethiopia – Amhara West (Bahir Dar, Gondar, Simien Mountains)

World Heritage Sites

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region

Simien National Park

Tentative WHS

Lake Tana Monasteries and its Adjacent Wetland Natural and Cultural Heritages

Borders

Ethiopia-Sudan

XL

Daga island (Tana Lake)

Simien Mountains

African Cities

BAHIR DAR World Cities and Popular Towns

Monuments: Bahir Dar: Martyrs Memorial Monument

DEBRE MARK’OS
DEBRE TABOR
GONDAR World Cities and Popular Towns

Religious Temples: Gondar: Debre Berhan Selassie Church

Airports

Bahir Dar (BJR)

Gondar (GDQ)

Castles, Palaces, Forts: Gondar: Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure)

Religious Temples: Lake Hayq: Istifanos Monastery

World of Nature: Simien Mountains NP

Waterfalls: Blue Nile Falls

Lakes: Lake Tana

Rivers

Atbarah River

Beles River

Blue Nile

Dinder River

Rahad River

Rahad/Shinfa River

Tekkeze/Setit River

Trails 1 – Treks: Simien Mountains Treks

Festivals: Timkat – Feast of Epiphany, Gondar

Markets: Bati Monday Market

Pedestrian and Historical Bridges: Tissisat : Premier pont portugais

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Ethiopia – Benishangul-Gumaz (Asosa)

Borders

Ethiopia-South Sudan

Ethiopia-Sudan

Lakes: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Rivers

Beles River

Blue Nile

Dinder River

Indigenous Peoples: Bertas

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Ethiopia – Gambela

Borders

Ethiopia-South Sudan

World of Nature

Gambela NP

Rivers

Akobo River

Baro River

Pibor River

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Ethiopia – South Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (Hawassa)

World Heritage Sites

Konso Cultural Landscape

Lower Valley of the Omo

Tiya

Tentative WHS: Gedeo Mixed Cultural and Natural Landscape (27/12/2012)

Borders

Ethiopia-Kenya

Ethiopia-South Sudan

XL: Elemi Triangle

African Cities

ARBA MINCH
DILA
HAWASSA
Markets: Hawassa Fish Market

SODO

Villages and Small Towns

Dorze Village

Kibish village, Omo

Vestiges of the Past: Tiya

World of Nature

Chebera Churchura NP

Mago NP

Nechi Sar NP

Omo NP

Stephanie Wildlife Sanctuary

Lakes

Lake Chew Bahir

Lake Turkana

Rivers

Omo River

Indigenous Peoples

Karos

Suris

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