Ethiopia is officially called “ Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia “ . Also popularly called as “Horn of Africa” as it it located in Horn of Africa, in Arabian Sea,Gulf of Aden. It neighbours and shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northwest, to the northeast Somaliland, and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. With population of approximately 102 million, it becomes most populous landlocked country and 2nd most in Africa, in term of population. The total land area of 1,100,000 square kilometres (420,000 sq mi). Addis Ababa it the official capital City of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is considered to be the genetical evolution of spreading of humankind to different parts of the World. Human first step out from Ethiopia to other lands in the world.Ge’ez script is still used here, which is also one of the oldest alphabets in the world.The country is the site of the Migration to Abyssinia and the oldest Muslim settlement in Africa at Negash. Also historically, Ethiopia is very rich and diverse. Many prehistoric evidences suggest of Afroasiatic languages origin, kingdoms and rules.During colonial period, Ethiopia was one of the only two nations who resisted the European colonial attempts and was only colonised 1936 by Italy, until 1941. Ethiopia was also the first independent member from Africa of the 20th-century League of Nations and the United Nations. Majority of natives follow Christianity, followed by Islam.It also have quite good population of Jews, called as “Bete Israel“, later migrated to Israel in 1980.With its rich and diverse ethnicity, tribes and history, Ethiopia is multilingual state.Geographically, it is the land of polaising ecosystems and habitats. It has dense wildlife, caves, and also world’s hottest settlements in Dallol. Ethiopia also has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.

Capital

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. Due to its historic, diplomatic and political significance it is also called “The political Capital of Africa”.The city lies a few miles west of the East African Rift which splits Ethiopia into two It is the largest city and most inhibited city of Ethiopia. Not just a capital city, it is also a Chartered city, it can frame its own laws according to its own charter. It is not just a city, but also a State in itself.Many important organisations headquarters are based here, African Union is headquartered, It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organizations.

Addis Ababa has a total population of 2,739,551 urban and rural inhabitants. the largest groups include the Amhara (67.04%), Oromo (19.00%), Gurage (16.34%), Tigrayan (5.18%), Silte (2.94%), and Gamo (1.68%). Languages spoken include Amharic (71.0%), Oromiffa (10.7%), Gurage (8.37%), Tigrinya (3.60%), Silte (1.82%) and Gamo (1.03%). The religion with the most believers in Addis Ababa is Ethiopian Orthodoxwith 74.7% of the population, while 16.2% are Muslim, 7.77% Protestant, and 0.48% Catholic.

Standard of living in Addis Ababa is better in terms of other African capital cities.According to the 2007 national census, 98.64% of the housing units of Addis Ababa had access to safe drinking water, while 14.9% had flush toilets, 70.7% pit toilets (both ventilated and unventilated), and 14.3% had no toilet facilities.Literacy rate is also high, adult literacy for men is 93.6% and for women 79.95%, the highest in the nation for both sexes.

Being a capital city, it is mostly urban in character and economy. Majority of natives are involved in trade and manufacturing, government and private jobs, the city dwellers also participate in animal husbandry and cultivation of gardens. Addis Ababa is a clean city to live in due to the political centre and majority of international organisations headquarters. Many foreign nationals also live in this city due to consulate missions presence.

Major Tourism attractions in

Toursim is centred around wildlife, natue, rainforests and Safari.Ethiopia also has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.This enhances the its scope to high extent.

• Addis Ababa - The capital city of Ethiopia is a tourist attraction in itself, along with political and administrative centre. It hosts Mount Entoto, which offers natural sightseeing,National Museum of Ethiopia has collection of vast history, tribes,culture and art.Meskel Square is a popular gathering place of native,expatriates,foreign nationals and tourists in weekends. Addis Ababa does not end here, Piazza district is attraction of youths, European travellers and expatriates because to presence of jazz clubs.
• Lalibela - A very famous tourist attraction. It hosts monolith religious structures, Churches from 12 - 13th century. It is a pilgrimage for Coptic Christians. Most famous religious church is Church of Saint George.Biete Abba Libanos - an underground rock-cut monolith Orthodox church. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Biete Amanuel is an underground Orthodox monolith rock-cut church. Tomb of Adam, Bete Galgota Selassie.
• Gondar - Known for Fasil Ghebbi fortress. Ethiopia currently has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
• Ruins of Aksum - It is closely related with Islam.
• Rock Swen Churches at Lalibela.
• Fasil Ghebbi.
• Harar Jugol - Famous for walled city.it was old trade centre due to its presence of Port and connectivity to Arabian Sea.
• Konso - is a town on the Sagan River in south-western Ethiopia. known for its religious traditions, waga sculptures, and nearby fossil beds. 
• Lowe valley of Awash - Awash is a major river of Ethiopia.The lower Awash valley is one of the last wildlife preserves for the African wild ass.
• Lower valley of Omo - Omo is a river in southern Ethiopia is the largest Ethiopian river outside the Nile Basin.
• Tiya - town in central Ethiopia.Famous for archaeological site, remarkable for its large stone pillars, many of which bear some form of decoration.
• Simien Mountains National Park - It is home to a number of endangered species, including the Ethiopian wolf and the walia ibex, a wild goat found nowhere else in the world.

Airline Service

Public Holidays

• Leddet (Christmas) 
• Timkat (Epiphany) 
• Victory of Adwa Commemoration Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Saturday 
• International Labour Day
• Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day (also known as Liberation Day)
• Downfall of the Derg
• Kiddus Yohannes (New Year’s Day) 
• Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)

Medical tourism

Medical tourism is in nascent stage. Majority of tourism flow is towards Wildlife and Natural areas, but with growing economic earnings, development, it has direct impact upon growing health services. Medical tourism in Ethiopia is gaining attraction in Africa populations. As it reduces the time travel and logistics cost along with easily Visa  Procedures or no visa procedures.

Indian Embassy

Embassy of India, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 Address Arada District, Kebele-14 [Next to Bel Air Hotel], H.No 224, Around Aware, Post Box No. 528, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 Telephone : 00-251-11-1235538/39

 Email : hoc.addisababa@mea.gov.in

 Website : www.indembassyeth.in/