Capital: Addis Ababa
Location:
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia (slightly less than twice the size of Texas).
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone: [251] (1) 550-666, extension 316/336; emergency after-hours telephone: [251] (1) 552-558; consular fax: [251] (1) 551-094; website: http://www.telecom.net.et/~usemb-et
Background:
Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-41. 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 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with Eritrea that ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000 has strengthened the ruling coalition, but has hurt the nation's economy.
Ethnic Groups:
Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%
Language:
Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools)
Currency:
ETB
birr (ETB)
birr per US dollar (end of period) - 8.887 (March 2007), 8.3140 (December 2000), 8.3140 (2000), 8.1340 (1999), 7.5030 (1998), 6.8640 (1997), 6.4260 (1996)
note: since May 1993, the birr market rate has been determined in an interbank market supported by weekly wholesale auction
Climate:
Tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
Population:
65,891,874
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%
Medical:
Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and completely inadequate outside the capital. Although physicians are generally well trained, even the best hospitals in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment and shortages of supplies (particularly medicine). Emergency assistance is limited. Travelers must bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines.
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.
Safety:
Although Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace treaty, American citizens should exercise caution if traveling to the northern Tigray and Afar regions (within 50km/30 miles of the Ethiopian/Eritrean border) because of land mines and unsettled conditions in the border area. As a result of the tensions, the Government of Ethiopia has occasionally deported some people of Eritrean origin, including U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens of all backgrounds should stay clear of security operations and should not try to intercede with police on behalf of Eritreans or anyone else.
Armed attacks apparently targeting foreigners have occurred in Ethiopia. In 1996, bombs at the government-owned Ghion and Wabe Shabelle Hotels in Addis Ababa killed five Ethiopians and wounded numerous Ethiopians and foreigners. Elsewhere in Addis Ababa, three coordinated grenade attacks in public places in April 1997 killed one Ethiopian and injured numerous people, including several foreigners. In May 2000, a large demonstration took place in front of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa to protest U.S. policies relating to the Eritrean/Ethiopian conflict. The demonstration required police intervention and was finally dispersed after several hours. U.S. citizens throughout Ethiopia are advised to consider carefully security implications when visiting public places such as markets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and hotel lobbies. It is advisable to lodge at larger hotels that offer better security.
Travel to the Ogaden region of Ethiopia is considered to be very dangerous due to incidents of clan fighting, armed banditry, threats of kidnapping and violence, all which may target foreigners. Travel in this region should not be attempted. U.S. citizens should exercise particular caution in the towns of Harar and Dire Dawa. Two foreigners were killed and one wounded in daylight shooting incidents in Dire Dawa in October 1996. A February 1997 grenade attack at a hotel in Harar wounded five foreign nationals. The attacks appear to have targeted foreigners. In addition, improvised explosive devices have been used as recently as the summer of 2000 to target hotels and other facilities in Dire Dawa and Nazret. Since the mid-1990's, there have also been several clashes between various opposition elements and Government forces around Harar and in the Somali Regional State, particularly near the border with Somalia. The Awash-Mile Road has been the site of shootings, apparently by bandits, at night or in the pre-dawn hours.
In southern Ethiopia along the Kenyan border, banditry and incidents involving ethnic conflicts are common.
In western Ethiopia, the western-most tip of the Gambella Region is subject to inter-ethnic conflict and to political violence originating from Sudan. Visitors should seek current guidance from the Embassy in Addis Ababa or local officials before traveling to other areas along the Sudan border.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Ethiopia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Poor
While travel on both paved and unpaved roads is generally considered safe, land mines and other anti-personnel devices can be encountered on isolated dirt roads that were targeted during various conflicts. Before undertaking any off-road travel, it is advisable to inquire with local authorities to ensure that the area has been cleared of mines. Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and livestock in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Ethiopian roads. In addition, road travel after dark outside Addis Ababa and other cities is dangerous due to broken-down vehicles left on the roads, people using the roads, stray animals, and the possibility of armed robbery in some locations. Road lighting in cities is inadequate at best and nonexistent outside of cities.
