World Guide

Ethiopia

Country · Africa, Eastern Africa

Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
Pictured: Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion · Photo: A.Savin, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons

Ethiopia is a country located in Eastern Africa, with the capital city of Addis Ababa. It covers an area of 1,104,300 square kilometers and has a population of about 135 million. The country offers travellers a variety of cultural and natural sights.

Highlights

The site covers 15 top sights, including cities like Addis Ababa and Axum. Notable locations include the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, Danakil Depression, Rock-Hewn Churches in Lalibela, Erta Ale, Dallol, Fasil Ghebbi, Gaet'ale Pond, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, National Palace in Addis Ababa, Menelik Palace, Ezana Stone, Simien Mountains National Park, Bale Mountains National Park, and Dungur.

Food and drink

Traditional dishes and drinks include Injera, Wat, Tej, Kitfo, Himbasha, Fit-fit, Shiro, Gored gored, Genfo, and Kitcha.

When to go

This climate information applies to the capital, Addis Ababa. January, November, and December have lower rainfall, with 8 mm to 14 mm of rain and 2 to 4 rainy days, alongside daily highs of 20 °C to 21 °C and lows of 6 °C to 7 °C. July and August are the wettest months, experiencing 278 mm to 283 mm of rain across 29 to 30 rainy days and daily highs of 19 °C with lows of 10 °C.

Practical notes

The currency is the bir. The official language is Amharic. Plugs used are types C, E, F, J, and L, operating at a voltage of 220.0 V. Driving is on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+03:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Ethiopia

  • Injera
  • Wat
  • Tej
  • Kitfo
  • Himbasha
  • Fit-fit
  • Shiro
  • Gored gored
  • Genfo
  • Kitcha

Top sights in Ethiopia

  1. Church of Our Lady Mary of ZionChurch of Our Lady Mary of ZionAxum
  2. Danakil DepressionDanakil Depression
  3. Rock-Hewn Churches, LalibelaUNESCORock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
  4. Erta AleErta Ale
  5. DallolDallol
  6. Fasil GhebbiUNESCOFasil Ghebbi
  7. Gaet'ale PondGaet'ale Pond
  8. Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis AbabaHoly Trinity Cathedral, Addis AbabaAddis Ababa
  9. National Palace, Addis AbabaNational Palace, Addis AbabaAddis Ababa
  10. Menelik PalaceMenelik PalaceAddis Ababa
  11. Ezana StoneEzana StoneAxum
  12. Omo RiverUNESCOOmo River
  1. Simien Mountains National ParkUNESCO
  2. Bale Mountains National ParkUNESCO
  3. Dungur · Axum

UNESCO sites in Ethiopia →

Weather by month

The warmest month is March, with an average high of 22 °C. The wettest is August, with about 283 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C212222222220191919202021
Average low, °C781010101010109767
Rainfall, mm14337188751412782831503588
Rainy days3710171623302924943

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Addis Ababa (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories