About Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state of nearly 100 million inhabitants and a great variety of customs and languages. Amharic is the federal working language, and country-wide Ethiopians speak 83 languages and over 200 dialects.

Ethiopia is an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2000m and 3000m. In the north and center of the country there are over 20 peaks rising over 4000m, and is often called the Roof of Africa. The most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue Nile (known as the Abay in Amahric), which flows over 1450km from its source at Lake Tana to Kartoum (Sudan) where it joins the White Nile and flows north toward the Mediterranean. Ethiopia is ecologically rich, ranging from the deserts in the east to the tropical forests in the south to extensive Afro-alpine in the highlands throughout.

Ethiopia has 31 endemic species of mammals, notably the Gelada Baboon, the Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian Wolf (or Simien fox). The wide range of altitude has given the country a variety of ecologically distinct areas, this has helped to encourage the evolution of endemic species in ecological isolation. Ethiopia is a global center of avian diversity and top birding destination. More than 856 bird species have been recorded in Ethiopia, 20 of which are endemic to the country.