Ethiopia

~10,000 BCE – Earliest evidence of human habitation in Ethiopia (Hadar region, home of “Lucy”)

4th Century CE – Axumite Empire establishes Christianity as state religion

Late 15th Century – Solomonic Dynasty solidifies rule, Ethiopia becomes a Christian kingdom

1896 (Monday, March 1) – Battle of Adwa: Ethiopian forces defeat Italian colonialists, preserving independence

1935–1941 (October) – Second Italo-Ethiopian War, leading to Italian occupation

May 5, 1941 (Monday) – British and Ethiopian forces liberate Ethiopia from Italian occupation

1974 (Friday, September 12) – Derg regime overthrows Emperor Haile Selassie, establishing a socialist government

1991 (Monday, May 28) – Derg regime falls; Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) comes to power

May 22, 1993 (Saturday) – Eritrean independence referendum leads to Eritrea becoming an independent nation

July 20, 1998 (Monday) – Eritrean-Ethiopian War begins over border disputes (lasts until 2000)

2005 (Monday, May 15) – Controversial elections lead to widespread protests and violence

November 2005 (Monday) – Drought impacts the eastern regions, leading to food shortages and famine

August 2008 (Friday) – Ethiopian famine caused by prolonged drought affects over 4 million people

January 2010 (Friday) – Ethiopian flooding: Heavy rains lead to the displacement of thousands in the capital Addis Ababa and other areas

2011 (Saturday) – Horn of Africa drought affects Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya, resulting in famine and over 250,000 deaths

March 2012 (Monday) – Cyclone Dooku causes flooding and landslides in parts of southern Ethiopia

April 2018 (Friday) – Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed comes to power, initiating significant political and economic reforms

July 2018 (Friday) – Bombing in Addis Ababa during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rally, leading to fatalities

November 2020 (Tuesday) – Tigray Conflict breaks out between federal government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)

March 2021 (Tuesday) – Humanitarian crisis in Tigray worsens due to the conflict, with widespread famine and displacement

2022 (Monday) – Severe drought in the eastern regions, leading to crop failure and food insecurity affecting millions of people

Continent: Africa (Eastern Africa)
Location: Horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea (north), Djibouti and Somalia (east), Kenya (south), South Sudan (west), and Sudan (northwest)
Capital: Addis Ababa
Language: Amharic (official), Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali, and other regional languages
Currency: Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Population: ~118 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3)

Borders: Eritrea (north), Djibouti and Somalia (east), Kenya (south), South Sudan (west), Sudan (northwest)
Landscape: Highlands, plateaus, valleys, and lowlands
Major Rivers: Blue Nile, Awash, Omo, Baro, Wabishebele
Major Mountains: Ras Dashen (highest), Simien Mountains, Bale Mountains, Abune Yosef
Deserts: Danakil Depression
Lakes: Lake Tana (largest lake), Lake Abijatta, Lake Shala, Lake Ziway
Volcanoes: Erta Ale, Dallol, Alu-dalafilla
Highest Point: Ras Dashen – 4,550 m (14,928 ft)
Lowest Point: Danakil Depression – 125 m (410 ft) below sea level
Climate: Varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the highlands; the highlands experience seasonal monsoons
Geological Features: Rift valley (Great Rift Valley), volcanic mountains, highlands, plateaus

Ethnic Groups: Oromo (~35%), Amhara (~27%), Tigray (~6%), Sidama, Gurage, Somali, and other smaller groups
Religion: Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity (approx. 43%), Islam (approx. 34%), Protestant Christianity (approx. 18%)
Urban Population: ~22% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Ethiopia has a very young population, with a large proportion under the age of 25

Famous For: Ancient history (Axumite Empire), traditional music and dance, unique script (Ge’ez)
Cuisine: Injera, Doro Wat, Kitfo, T’ej, Shiro
Arts: Ethiopian Orthodox art (icon painting), music, literature (written in Amharic and Ge’ez)
Sports: Athletics (especially long-distance running), football (soccer), basketball

Economy Type: Mixed economy with a large agricultural sector, developing industrial base
GDP: Approx. $110 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (coffee, teff, grains), textiles, cement, sugar, manufacturing
Key Exports: Coffee, oilseeds, gold, flowers, textiles
Unemployment Rate: ~17% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Agriculture-based economy in the highlands, expanding industrial sector in urban centers like Addis Ababa

Government Type: Federal parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Sahle-Work Zewde (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (House of Peoples’ Representatives & House of Federation)
Constitution: In effect since 1995, establishing a federal system with ethnic-based autonomy

Addis Ababa: National Museum of Ethiopia, Meskel Square, Holy Trinity Cathedral
Axum: Ancient ruins, obelisks, St. Mary of Zion church (believed to house the Ark of the Covenant)
Lalibela: Rock-hewn churches, UNESCO World Heritage site
Simien Mountains: Hiking, wildlife, UNESCO World Heritage site
Danakil Depression: Volcanic landscape, salt flats, active geothermal features