Ethiopia

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia የኢትዮጵያ ፌዴራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ ye-Ītyōṗṗyā Fēdēralāwī Dīmōkrāsīyāwī Rīpeblīk
Anthem:
Capital and largest city	Addis Ababa
Official languages	Amharic
Ethnic groups	Oromo 34.5% Amhara 26.9% Somali 6.2% Tigray 6.1% Sidama 4.% Gurage 2.5% Welayta 2.3% Hadiya 1.7% Afar 1.7% Gamo 1.5% Gedeo 1.3% Other 11.3%
Demonym(s)	Ethiopian
Government	Federal parliamentary republic1
• President	Sahle-Work Zewde
• Prime Minister	Abiy Ahmed
Establishment
• Kingdom of Axum	980 BC
• Empire of Ethiopia	1137
• Current constitution	1991
Area
• Total	1,104,300 km2 (426,400 sq mi) (27th)
• Water (%)	0.7
Population
• 2011 estimate	82,101,998 (14th)
• 2007 census	73,918,505
• Density	74/km2 (191.7/sq mi) (123rd)
GDP (PPP)	2011 estimate
• Total	$94.598 billion
• Per capita	$1,089
GDP (nominal)	2010 estimate
• Total	$29.717 billion
• Per capita	$350
Gini (1999–00)	30 medium
HDI (2010)	0.328 low · 157th
Currency	Birr (ETB)
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (not observed)
Driving side	right
Calling code	251
ISO 3166 code	ET
Internet TLD	.et
According to The Economist in its Democracy Index, Ethiopia is a "hybrid regime", with a dominant-party system led by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. Rank based on 2005 population estimate by the United Nations.

Ethiopia is a country in the Horn of Africa. It has one of the longest and most well known histories as a country in Africa and the world. Ethiopia was one of the few countries in Africa that escaped the Scramble for Africa. It avoided being colonized until 1935, when it was invaded by the Italians, who took over the country. Ethiopia used to be called Abyssinia. The word "Ethiopia" is from the Greek word Αἰθιοπία (IPA: /ˌaitʰioˈpia/) meaning sun light burned face. It is the most populous landlocked country in the world, having lost its Red Sea ports when Eritrea gained independence in 1993.

Part of a series on the
Habesha Community ሐበሻ | Habesha
/ | /
National origin groups Eritrea (Eritreans) Ethiopia (Ethiopians)
Ethnic groups Afar Agaw Awi Daasanach Gabra Hadiya Kambaata Konso Oromo Yejju Qemant Saho Irob Sidama Somali Tsamai Werji Afar Beja Bilen Saho Amhara Argobba Chebo Gurage Beta Israel Harari Silt’e Tigrayan Zay Tigrinyas Tigre (Beni-Amer Beit Asgede Ad Shaikh Mensa Beit Juk Marya) Arbore Awi Banna Basketo Chara Danta Dawro Dizi Dorze Gamo Gedeo Hamar Koore Maale Shinasha Welayta Yemsa Anuak Bare Berta Gumuz Kichepo Kwama Kwegu Majang Mekan Murle Mursi Nuer Nyangatom Shabo Shanqella Shita Surma Tirma Weyto Kunama Nara Eritrean Americans Ethiopian Americans Eritrean Australians Ethiopian Australians Eritrean Canadians Ethiopian Canadians Eritreans in Denmark Ethiopians in Denmark Eritreans in Germany Ethiopians in Germany Ethiopian Jews in Israel Eritreans in Norway Ethiopians in Norway Eritreans in Sweden Ethiopians in Sweden Eritreans in the United Kingdom Ethiopians in the United Kingdom
Homeland Regions Eritrea Maekel Region (1) Anseba Region (2) Gash-Barka Region (3) Debub Region (4) Northern Red Sea Region (5) Southern Red Sea Region (6) Ethiopia Addis Ababa Afar Region Amhara Region Benishangul-Gumuz Region Dire Dawa Gambela Region Harari Region Oromia Region Ogaden-Somali Region Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region Tigray Region Historical Provinces of the Ethiopian Empire Arsi Province Begemder Gamu-Gofa Gojjam Hararghe Illubabor Province Kaffa Province Shewa Sidama Province Tigray Province Welega Province Wollo Province Bete Amhara Assab Dire Dawa Eritrea Province Ogaden Tigray Province Asosa Zone Bale Province Borena Zone East Gojjam Zone East Hararghe Zone East Shewa Zone Gambela Region Illubabor Zone Kaffa Province Metekel Zone North Gondar Zone North Omo Zone North Shewa Zone - North Shewa Zone (Amhara)-North Shewa Zone (Oromia) North Wollo Zone South Gondar Zone South Omo Zone South Shewa Agame Agawmeder Amhara Province Dawaro Dembiya Enderta Province Fatagar Province Hadiya Zone Ifat Lasta Menz Province Qwara Province Semien Province Tembien Province Tselemt Tsegede Wag Province Wegera Hamasien Akele Guzai Barka Denkalia Gash-Setit Sahl Province Semhar Serae Kassala / Kassala (state) Historical Kingdoms Dʿmt Sultanate of Aussa Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea Kingdom of Aksum Zagwe dynasty Medri Bahri Land of Punt Ethiopian Empire Kingdom of Shewa Sultanate of Showa Kingdom of Tankish Sharkha Kingdom of Qita'a Kingdom of Nagash Kingdom of Jarin Sultanate of Dawaro Kingdom of Bazin Template:Medieval Horn of Africa Sultanate of Dahlak Kingdom of Belgin Sultanate of Bale Sultanate of Arababni Sultanate of Ifat Sultanate of Harar Ajuran Sultanate Adal Sultanate Kingdom of Garo Kingdom of Kaffa Kingdom of Janjero Adulis
Diaspora Communities United States Eritrean Americans: Little Ethiopia, Los Angeles Ethiopian Americans: Ethiopians in Washington, D.C., History of Ethiopian Americans in Baltimore, Little Ethiopia, Los Angeles Australia Eritrean Australians Ethiopian Australians Canada Eritrean Canadians Ethiopian Canadians Denmark Eritreans in Denmark Ethiopians in Denmark Germany Eritreans in Germany Ethiopians in Germany Israel Ethiopian Jews in Israel Norway Eritreans in Norway Ethiopians in Norway Sweden Eritreans in Sweden Ethiopians in Sweden United Kingdom Eritreans in the United Kingdom Ethiopians in the United Kingdom
Religions Religions Christianity Oriental Orthodoxy-Orthodox Tewahedo Ethiopian Orthodoxy Eritrean Orthodoxy Protestantism-Evangelicalism P'ent'ay: Ethiopian-Eritrean Evangelicalism Catholicism Eritrean Catholicism Ethiopian Catholicism Islam Sunni Judaism Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jewish ethno-religious group) Traditional Faiths Christianity in the Habesha Community Branches of Christianity Oriental Orthodoxy Orthodox Tewahedo Protestantism P'ent'ay Catholicism Eastern Catholic Origins, Tradition, Culture Christianity in Ethiopia Christianity in Eritrea Alexandrian Rite Apostolic Succession and Missionary Origins: Frumentius (328 AD Axum) Philip the Evangelist (8:26-39%20{{{2}}};&version=KJV; Acts 8:26-39 {{{2}}} "via Ethiopian eunuch of Kush") Mark the Evangelist (42 AD via Alexandria) Christian Missionaries & Mission Organizations (19th-20th centuries) Regions with Significant Populations: Ethiopia and Eritrea United States Canada Norway Sweden Finland Denmark Germany United Kingdom Israel-Palestine Kenya Australia Italy Netherlands South Africa Ethiopian-Eritrean Diaspora Languages: Geʽez (liturgical language) Languages of Ethiopia Languages of Eritrea Oromo Amharic Wolayta Sidama Tigrinya Somali (other languages) Diaspora Languages English German Swedish Norwegian Danish French Dutch Hebrew Finnish , etc. Orthodox Tewahedo Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church Orthodox Tehadeso Reforms P'ent'ay Primary Denominations: Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Holiness Baptists-(some Pentecostalism) Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Lutheranism-(some Presbyterianism) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea / Lutheran Church of Eritrea Lutheranism Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers' Church Pentecostalism-(some Mennonites) Meserete Kristos Church Mennonite-(some Pentecostalism) Other Denominations: Christian Brethren Ammanuel Baptist Church Misgana Church of Ethiopia Assemblies of God Pentecostal Hiwot Berhan Church (Light of Life Church) Emnet Kristos Berhane Wongel — Gospel Light Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church Seventh-day Adventist Church Anglicanism Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East Episcopal Anglican Province of Alexandria Orientation: Protestantism Evangelicalism Eastern Protestant Christianity Pentecostalism Lutheranism Baptist Holiness Baptists Mennonite-Anabaptist Holiness movement Anglican Methodist Presbyterian Adventist Catholicism Eritrean Catholic Church Ethiopian Catholic Church Miscellaneous Pentecostalism in Ethiopia Protestantism in Eritrea Religion in Ethiopia Religion in Eritrea
Languages Major Languages Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromo, Somali, Afar, Geʽez Native Languages Languages of Ethiopia Languages of Eritrea Tigrinya Afar Beja Bilen Kunama (Bitama) Nara Saho Tigre (Dahalik) Amharic Argobba Geʽez Gurage Harari Inor Mesqan Muher Sebat Bet Gurage Siltʼe Soddo Tigrinya Zay Afar Alaba Ale Arbore Awngi Baiso Bussa Burji Daasanach Dirasha Gedeo Hadiyya Kambaata Konso Libido Oromo Qimant Saho Sidamo Somali Tsamai Xamtanga Aari Anfillo Bambassi Basketo Bench Boro Chara Dime Dizi Dorze Gamo-Gofa-Dawro Ganza Gayil Hamer-Banna Hozo Kachama-Ganjule Kafa Karo Koorete Maale Melo Nayi Oyda Seze Shekkacho Sheko Wolaytta Yemsa Zayse-Zergulla Anuak Berta Daatsʼiin Gumuz Kacipo-Balesi Komo Kwama Kwegu Majang Meʼen Murle Mursi Nuer Nyangatom Opuuo Shabo Suri Uduk Foreign & Diaspora Languages English Italian Arabic German Swedish Norwegian Danish French Dutch Hebrew Finnish Armenian Chinese Greek
Related national groups
History
Lists Template:Ethiopian-Eritrean Cultural and Historical Community

History

The Kingdom of Aksum, the first known kingdom of great power to rise in Ethiopia, rose during the first century AD. The Persian religious figure Mani listed Axum with Rome, Persia, and China as one of the four great powers of his time. It was in the early 4th century that a Syro-Greek castaway, Frumentius, was taken to the court and over time changed King Ezana to Christianity, making Christianity Ethiopia's religion. For this, he received the title "Abba Selama". At different times, including a time in the 6th century, Axum ruled most of modern-day Yemen just across the Red Sea.

The line of rulers of the actual Axumite kings ended around 950 AD when they were overthrown by the Jewish Queen Gudit; then it was followed by the Zagwe dynasty for around 300 years. Around 1270 AD, the Solomonid dynasty came to control Ethiopia, claiming that they were related to the kings of Axum (though their claim was unscientific, they were even southern Ethiopia people, like from Shewa and such). They called themselves Neguse Negest ("King of Kings," or Emperor), basing their claims on their direct relation to king Solomon and the queen of Sheba.

During the rule of Emperor Lebna Dengel, Ethiopia made its first good contact with a European country, Portugal in 1520. When the Empire was attacked by Somali General and Imam, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, Portugal responded to Lebna Dengel's request for help with 400 musketeers, helping his son Gelawdewos beat al-Ghazi and remake his rule. However, Jesuit missionaries over time offended the Orthodox faith of the local Ethiopians, and in the mid-17th century Emperor Fasilidos got rid of these missionaries. At the same time, the Oromo people began to question the Ethiopian Christian authorities in the Abyssinian territories, and wanted to keep their own religion.

All of this led to Ethiopia's isolation during the 1700s. The Emperors became figureheads, controlled by warlords like Ras Mikael Sehul of Tigray. But Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia. Ethiopian isolationism ended following a British mission that made friendship between the two nations; however, it was not until the reign of Tewodros II that Ethiopia began to take part in world matters once again.

In 1896 Italy was decisively defeated in the battle of Adwa by Emperor Menelik; an Amhara Emperor from the province of Shewa. This battle dispelled the notion that Europeans were superior and could not be defeated by a black army. It gave rise to the Pan African movement, and hope to other African countries who were conquered. This victory made Ethiopia the only African country to successfully repel a European power during the Scramble of Africa. In 1936 Italy again attacked, and succeeded in occupying Ethiopia until 1941. With British help the 5 year occupation ended and Emperor Haile Selassie regained the throne.

Revolutionaries overthrew and killed the emperor in 1974. The resulting civil war lasted until 1991. Eritrea became independent and later fought the Eritrean–Ethiopian War.

Regions, zones, and districts

Before 1996, Ethiopia was divided into 13 provinces. Ethiopia now has ethnically based regional countries, zones, districts, and neighborhoods.

There are nine regions, sixty-eight zones and two chartered cities. Ethiopia is further divided into 550 woredas and several special woredas.

The nine regions and two chartered cities (in italics) are:

Addis Ababa Afar Amhara Benishangul-Gumuz Dire Dawa

Gambela Harari Oromia Somali Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region Tigray

Economy

Coffee sorting in Awasa

Coffee production is a longstanding tradition in Ethiopia.

Related pages

• Ethiopia at the Olympics
• Ethiopia national football team
• List of rivers of Ethiopia