The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE)
The Federation is composed of Ten States (killil): Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali,
Benishangul-Gumuz, Southern Nations Nationalities and People Region (SNNPR),
Gambella, Sidama and the Harari Regional States; and two Chartered Cities - Addis Ababa
and Dire Dawa.
Location and
Boundaries
Ethiopia is located in the center of
the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Sudan and South Sudan to the
west; Eritrea to the north and north-east; Djibouti & Somalia to the east;
Somalia and Kenya to the south.
It covers an area of 1.14 million
square kilometers (944,000 square miles)
The population is estimated at close
to 100 million.
Nation and
Nationalities
Ethiopia is home to over 80 different
peoples and nationalities.
Religion
Christians, Muslims, traditional
faiths followers comprise the religious composition of Ethiopia.
Climate
Although Ethiopia lies within 15
degrees north of the Equator, overall the country enjoys moderate temperatures
and a pleasant climate, with an average temperature rarely exceeding 200C
(680F), owing to the moderating influence of high altitude. The more
sparsely populated lowlands tend to have subtropical and tropical climates; and
parts of the Afar regional State in the east of the country which lies below
sea level is considered to be the hottest place on earth with temperatures
regularly reaching 500C (1200F) or more.
At approximately 850mm (34inches), the
average annual rainfall for the whole country is considered to be moderate by
global standards. In most of the highland areas, rainfall occurs in two
distinct seasons: the "small rains" (belg) during February and
March and the "big rains" (kremt) from June to September. In
the southeast lowlands, the rainy seasons are from March to May, the longer
season (gu), and the short rainy season from October to December (deyr).
Communications
There are international airports at
Addis Ababa (Bole International Airport), and at Dire Dawa, Bahr Dar, Gondar,
Lalibela, Axum, Arba Minch, and Mekelle. The national carrier, Ethiopian
Airlines have an excellent international reputation and currently flies to 127
international destinations in America, Europe, Africa, and Asia as well as 23
local flight destinations. It is now taking delivery of the latest Boeing 787
"Dreamliner" aircraft for its long haul flights.
The main entry points by road are at
Moyale (from Kenya), Humera and Metema (from Sudan), Dewaele (from Djibouti).
All have full customs and immigration checks. Humera, Rama, Zalembessa and
Bureae entry points from Eritrea.
Visas
For information about the business, visas , or multiply entry tourist visas, contact a local Ethiopian Embassy which will
provide the relevant forms. Visas issued by embassies are valid from the day of the issue not from the date of arrival in Ethiopia.
Currency and
Currency Regulations
The local currency is the
Ethiopian birr, made up of 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 1,
5, 10, 50, and 100 birrs. There are six different coins: 1, 5, 10, 25,
and 50 cents, and 1 birr.
There is no limit to the amount of
foreign currency that can be imported into Ethiopia, but it must be declared on
arrival, using a currency declaration form. Foreign currency may be changed
only at authorized banks and hotels. The currency declaration form will be
required by Customs on departure. Visitors may change back any excess birr into
foreign currency at the airport before departure, but they are expected to
produce receipts for all exchange transactions.
Credit cards
These can be used in some of the
larger hotels in Addis Ababa, and major credit cards can be used for flights by
Ethiopian Airlines. A number of banks and hotels have ATM machines
available and Visa cards can be used at some banks. The US dollar is the best
foreign currency to bring into Ethiopia and it can be exchanged at banks and
foreign exchange bureaus.
Driving
Drivers require a valid International
Driving License, which can be obtained by exchanging your own local license at
the Transport and Communications office on Haile Gebreselassie Road in Addis
Ababa. Visitors can recover their original driving licenses a day or so prior
to departure. Those with their own vehicles require a permit from the Ministry
of Transport and Communication. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
Energy (Power)
Ethiopia uses a 220 Volt and 50 Hz.
System. It is sensible to bring a round, two-prong adapter and transformer if
necessary.
Health
Requirements
All visitors (including infants) are required
to possess a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have recently
traveled to a country where it is present. Vaccination against cholera is also
required for any person who has visited or been in transit through a
cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival to Ethiopia. Malaria is
endemic in areas of Ethiopia below 2000 meters and both chloroquine-resistant
and falciparum strains are present.
Medical Services
Medical facilities are available in
all major towns but facilities are often over-taxed. Tourists and non-citizen
residents should go to private hospitals and clinics. Contact your Embassy for
a referral to recommended doctors. Air rescue services are available.
Calendar and time
Ethiopia uses its own calendar which
divides the year into 12 months of 30 days each, with the remaining five (or
six days in a leap year) constituting a short 13th month of Pagume.
The Ethiopian New Year commences on the 11th or 12th of September in the
Gregorian calendar.
There is a 7 or 8-year difference from
the Gregorian calendar, seven years from September to January 1, and eight
years from January 1 until September 10/11. The current Ethiopian year is 2012,
running from September 11, 2019, to September 10, 2020. Meskerem 1, New Year's Day
2005, will fall on September 11th, 2012.
Ethiopia is in the GMT +3 time zone.
Business hours vary according to the nature of the business. Normally
government offices and most other office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Working hours on
Friday is 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3
p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Working hours on Friday are 8:00 a.m. to
11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3: 00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 to 11a.m.
Ethiopians also use a 12-hour
clock, with one cycle of 1 to 12 running from dawn (6 am) to dusk (6 pm) and the
other cycle from dusk to dawn. The start of the day is dawn, rather than
midnight. Thus, 7:00 AM in East Africa Time (EAT) corresponds to 1:00 daylight
in local Ethiopian time; 12:00 noon EAT is 6:00 daylight hours, and 6:00 pm EAT
is 12:00 local time.
Major holidays
Enkutatash (New Year's
Day- September 11/12); Eid al Fitr - the end of Ramadan (variable); Meskel
(the finding of the True Cross –); Eid al Adha; Genna (Christmas – the
birth of Christ – ); Timkat (Epiphany: Baptism of Christ - ); Maulid
(Birth of the Prophet Mohammed –); Adwa Day (commemorating the victory over
Italy in 1896); Patriots' Day (celebrating the end of the five years Italian
occupation in 1941 ); Siklet (Good Friday –); Tensai (Easter Sunday); (Downfall
of the Derg ); International Labour Day )