Ethiopia

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990's ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 76,511,887 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Ethiopian(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Ethiopian

Official Language(s): Amharic

Major Languages Spoken: Amharic, English, Oromo, Somali, Tigrigna, Afar

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Country Name (short form): Ethiopia

Country Name (local long form): Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik

Country Name (local short form): Ityop'iya

Name of Capital: Addis Ababa

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Ethiopia: Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea

Land Area: 1119683 sq km

Water Area: 7444 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Total Land Boundry: 5,328 km

National Holiday: National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)

International Phone Code: 251

Currency Code: birr (ETB)

Internet Country Code: .et

US Embassy Location: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa

US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa