If you have a plane to Travel and Tour Ethiopia , this page will give you important travel information about Ethiopia.
One of the few African countries never to lose its independence, Ethiopia is as large as France and Spain combined and has one of the richest histories on the African continent. The country is located at the eastern part of Africa surrounded by neighboring countries Kenya, Sudan , Eritrea , Djibouti and Somalia.
The Capital was settled in 1886 and christened by Queen Taytu, consort of Emperor Menelik II. The population is estimated to be 3.2 million according to the official census of 2005-2006.
The Ethiopia is an independent republic operating under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government.
LAND AND POPULATION
Ethiopia covers an area of 1,133,380 sq km (437,600 sq mi).
The heart of the country is a high tableland, known as the Ethiopian Plateau, that covers more than half the total area of the country. The plateau is split diagonally in a northeastern to southwestern direction by the Great Rift Valley. Although the average elevation of the plateau is about 1,680 m (about 5,500 ft), it is cut by many rivers and deep valleys, some of which are 600 m (2,000 ft) below the level of the plateau.
The area is capped by mountains, the highest of which is Ras Dashen (4,620 m/15,157 ft). These heights and indentations occur in northern Ethiopia, in the region surrounding Lake Tana (the lake in which the Blue Nile rises). Occupations in agriculture support 89 percent of all Ethiopians. Most agriculture consists of subsistence farming. The population is concentrated heavily in the central plateau region, where agricultural resources are most developed. The ethnic composition is extremely diverse, as a result of racial and linguistic integration that began in ancient times.
The climate of Ethiopia varies mainly according to elevation. The tropical zone below approximately 1,800 m (approximately 6,000 ft) has an average annual temperature of about 27°C (about 80°F) and receives less than about 500 mm (about 20 in) of rain annually. The subtropical zone, which includes most of the highland plateau and is between about 1,800 and 2,400 m (about 6,000 and 8,000 ft) in elevation, has an average temperature of about 22°C (about 72°F) with an annual rainfall ranging from about 500 to 1,500 mm (about 20 to 60 in). Above approximately 2,400 m (approximately 8,000 ft) is a temperate zone with an average temperature of about 16°C (about 61°F) and an annual rainfall between about 1,300 and 1,800 mm (about 50 and 70 in). The principal rainy season occurs between mid-June and September, followed by a dry season that may be interrupted in February or March by a short rainy season.
POPULATION AND POPULTION CHARACTERSTICS
The population of Ethiopia (2007 estimate) is 75,891,874 estimate, yielding an overall density of 58 persons per sq km (151 per sq mi). The Amhara, who founded the original nation, and the related Tigreans, both of which are highland peoples of partly Semitic origin, constitute about 32 percent of the total population. They occupy the northwestern Ethiopian highlands and the area north of Addis Ababa. The Oromo, a pastoral and agricultural people who live mainly in central and southwestern Ethiopia, constitute about 40 percent of the population. The Shankella, a people in the western part of the country from the border of Eritrea to Lake Turkana, constitute about 6 percent of the population. The Somali, who live in the east and southeast, notably in the Ogaden region, are about equal in number to the Shangalla. The Denakil inhabit the semi desert plains east of the highlands. The no indigenous population includes Yemenis, India ns, Armenians, and Greeks
TIME AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY
Ethiopia is in the GMT +3 hours time zone. Ethiopia follows the Julian Calander, which consists of Twelve months of 30 days each and a 13th month of five days which become Six days on leap year. Ethiopia Uses 220volts 50 cycles AC.
Ethiopia’s unit of currency, the birr, is issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia . Other banks in the country includes the government owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and many privately owned banks operate in the country . All of them will give exchange services for cash. Credit card is accepted only by Dash bank for cashing from VISA card.
Declaration of hard currency exceeding USD 1000.00 or equivalent at entry points is a must. Undeclared currencies exceeding this amount may not be allowed to take out of the country. Taking out local currency exceeding Eth. Birr 200.00 is also prohibited.
Duty-free imports are permitted for up to:
B-1 lit of alcoholic beverages.
C-1/2 lit of perfumes. Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding E.birr 500.00
VISA AND IMMIGRATION
Visas are required for all visitors, however; nationals of 38 countries are given visa on arrival at Bole international Air Port (Updated on August 2011). They are :
Argentina, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, Israel, Russia, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Belgium, Japan, Spain,Brazil, Kuwait, Sweden, Canada, Luxemburg, Switzerland, China, Mexico, Denmark, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Norway, United States, Finland, Netherlands and Germany, Thiland, North Koria, Slovakia, Taiwan
Travelers using rail ways Dewele on the Djibouti border is the only point of entry to Ethiopia and those driving to Ethiopia via surface, Moyale (in Kenya), Humera and Metema (in Sudan), and again Galafi in Djibouti are the available means of entries. All arrivals undergo full customs and immigration checks.
For the major part of travelers accessing via flight, the Bole International Airport is the only terminal available in the Capital Addis Ababa though there are other domestic airports and airstrips serving domestic needs.
Transport system in town is mostly covered by mini buses and taxi service. Shuttle service at Addis Ababa airport is given by different transport companies and hotels in the city. You need prior arrangement for the shuttle service or you need to have local currency
cash to pay and use available taxi service.
Drivers require a valid International Driving License, which can be obtained by exchanging their local license at the Transport and Road Authority office in Addis Ababa. Visitors can recover their original license a day or so prior to departure. Those with their own Vehicle will require a permit from the ministry of Transport and communication. Driving is on the right.
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