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The country of
Ethiopia, which is still relatively unfamiliar to Europeans,
is located in eastern Africa and has about 79 million inhabitants.
Mostly known only for the poverty of the people in some areas of the
country, Ethiopia appears on closer examination to be a
well-developing and stable democracy, which for years has experienced
a constant economic upturn and is increasingly opening itself up to
trade and tourism.
Addis Ababa today is not only a political
capital but also the economic and social center of Ethiopia. Wide
boulevards run through the city, and modern, multi-story buildings
can be found in addition to traditional one- or two-story houses,
open spaces, and forest areas, which primarily contain eucalyptus
trees. Because of its high altitude, Addis Ababa has a mild and
pleasant climate. Addis Ababa has a university, which was founded in
1950,
art and music schools, and several research institutions. Since the
1950s, the city has been considered the unofficial capital of Africa,
and not least because of this, it became the headquarters of the
United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(UN/ECA) in 1958
and the Organization
of African Unity (OAU, since
2002 the African
Union, AU) in 1963.
There are also more than 90 consulates in Addis Ababa. As a
cosmopolitan city, Addis Ababa offers a wide selection of excellent
hotels, from international luxury hotels to reasonably priced
alternatives. Modern conference centers in the capital have often
provided an attractive setting for international conferences in
Ethiopia.
There is a long tradition of traveling in Ethiopia. The road
connections are relatively well-developed for African conditions.
However, the use of an airplane is recommended to travel longer
distances. Hotels in various categories can be found in all larger
towns and of course in the tourist centers. In general, tourism is
the most important growth industry in the country, which otherwise
can point only to coffee as an export product.
Besides an
impressive cultural past and unique cultural memorials, such as the
famous rock-hewn church Bet Gyiorgis in Lalibela, Ethiopia offers a
multitude of sites of natural beauty, such as volcanic lakes,
national parks, and nature reserves, which are home to a diverse
animal and plant world.
In contrast to other African states,
there is relatively little crime in Ethiopia. Tourists can travel
through most areas of the country without any problems. The
telecommunications network in the regional centers is well-developed.
Public telephones, internet cafés, etc. offer contact with
the entire world. A nationwide cellular network is being built.
Population:
|
Total population
|
81 million inhabitants (2010) |
| Population growth
|
2,5% |
|
Population density
|
61/sq. km |
|
Average age
|
18 years
|
| Average life expectancy |
47 years
|
Economic Development:
| Gross domestic product |
135US$ p. capita |
GDP growth rate p.a. (2002-2008)
|
10,4
% |
| Growth of industrial production |
9 % |
Inflation 2010
|
8,3 % |
GDP growth rate 2010
|
7 %
|
Budget defizit 2010
|
3 %
|
Debt 2010
|
< 30 % of GDP
|
| Export rate |
16,9 % of GNI |
Annual export growth
|
9,8
% |
Development aid from Austria
|
7,6 million US$ |
Source: IMF Sept. 2011, CIA/World
Fact Book 2007-2010
Did you know that:
- The
name coffee has ist origin from the westethiopian province of Kaffa?
- Ethiopias
population shall grow to over 120 mio people by 2025 (source: Economist)?
- By
then Ethiopia is among the Top Ten nations worlwide in terms of
population?
- Ethiopias
economy grew on average more than 11,5 % p.a. in the last couple of years and
that this puts Ethiopia among the Top Five nations worldwide?
- Primarily
Asian companies start a number of industrial projects in Ethiopia? In the suburbs of Addis Abeba exist already 2 assembly lines for chinese cars (one of them, Holland Car, produces among others cars for the local market fuelled by Biogas)
- In
the southern part of the country the climate and soil is so favourable
that corn can be harvested 3 times a year?
- Ethiopia has its own commodity exchange since spring 2008 (www.ecx.com ) ?
- Ethiopia is ranked 28th (of 51 countries) in Africa according to the Magazin for International Living ? This ranking is showing the quality of live for 2010.
- since autumn 2009 3 new Hydro Powerstations have gone online? Furthermore, Ethiopia plans to become an net exporter of energy as early as 2015.
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