Ethiopia

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The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ityop'iya, Amharic የኢትዮጵያ) is a nation of northeastern Africa. Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-1941.

Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ

Flag of Ethiopia coat of arms
(In Detail) (Full size)

Location of Ethiopia
Official language Amharic
Capital Addis Ababa
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Area
- Total
- % water Ranked 26th
1,127,127 kmÃÂÃÂ²
0.7%
Population
-Total
-Density Ranked 16th
67,673,031
0/km²
Currency Birr (ETB)
Time zone UTC +3
National anthem Whedefit Gesgeshi Woude Henate Ethiopia (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)
Internet TLD .ET
Calling Code 251

Table of contents

1 History
2 Politics
3 Regions
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External links and references

History

Main article: History of Ethiopia

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 border war with Eritrea that erupted in May 1998 has strengthened the ruling coalition, but has hurt the nation's economy.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Ethiopia

Regions

Main article: Regions of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is divided into 9 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akabibi) and 2 chartered cities*:

Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara, Benishangul/Gumaz; Dire Dawa*; Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region; Tigray

Geography

Main article: Geography of Ethiopia

Economy

Main article: Economy of Ethiopia

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Ethiopia

Culture

Main article: Culture of Ethiopia

**Holidays**
Date	English Name	Local Name
January 7	Orthodox Christmas Day
January 19	Feast of Epiphany	Timket

February 2	Feast of the Sacrifice	Eid-ul-Adha
March 2	Battle of Adowa
April 12	Orthodox Easter Monday
April 25	Coptic Good Friday
May 2	Mulud	Mulud
May 5	Patriots' Day
May 28	End of Military Regime
September 11	Ethiopian New Year/Coptic New Year
September 27	Finding of the True Cross
November 14	End of Ramadan	Eid-al-Fitr

Miscellaneous topics

External links and references

CIA World Factbook [1]
University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center Ethiopia Page [1]

Africa

Other areas