Ethiopia – Key Facts
General Information
- Official Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- Capital City: Addis Ababa
- Population: Approximately 120 million
- Area: 1,104,300 km²
- Official Language(s): Amharic
- Currency: Ethiopian Birr
- Currency Code: ETB
- Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT)
- Dialing Code: +251
Government
- Head of State: Sahle-Work Zewde (President)
- Head of Government: Abiy Ahmed (Prime Minister)
- Government Type: Federal Parliamentary Republic
- Independence Day: May 28th, 1991 (from the Derg regime)
- National Anthem: “Wodefit Gesgeshi, Widd Innat Iwedihalehu”
Geography
- Continent: Africa
- Borders with: Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan
- Notable Landmarks: Simien Mountains, Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches, Danakil Depression
- Major Rivers/Waterways: Blue Nile, Awash River, Lake Tana
- Highest Point: Ras Dashen (4,550 meters)
- Largest City: Addis Ababa
Economy
- GDP (nominal): $118.7 billion (2022)
- Main Industries: Agriculture (coffee, livestock), textiles, cement, construction
- Major Exports: Coffee, oilseeds, flowers, textiles
- Unemployment Rate: 19.1%
- Currency Exchange Rate (to USD): 1 USD = 54.5 ETB (approx.)
Culture and Society
- National Religion(s): Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Protestant Christianity
- Famous Festivals: Timkat (Epiphany), Meskel, Fasika (Ethiopian Orthodox Easter)
- National Symbols:
- Flag: Green, yellow, and red with a blue circle and star in the center
- National Animal: Ethiopian Wolf
- National Flower: Calla Lily
History
- Colonial History: Only African country never to be colonized, except for Italian occupation from 1936-1941
- Independence: Never formally colonized; defeated Italy in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War
- Historical Events: Battle of Adwa (1896), Italian occupation (1936-1941), 1974 revolution, and overthrow of the monarchy
Miscellaneous
- Internet Country Code: .et
- Popular Sports: Football (soccer), athletics (especially long-distance running)
- Famous People: Haile Selassie (Emperor), Abiy Ahmed (Prime Minister, Nobel Peace Prize 2019)
- UN Member: Yes, since 1945
