CAPITAL ADDIS ABABA - POPULATION 76.5 MILLION - AREA 1,127,127 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE AMHARIC
It seems that Ethiopia's finally shaken off its beleaguered image of the '80s and '90s, and is reinventing itself as one of Africa's best new traveler destinations. Charity bike rides are a big thing, as is a growing ecotourism options, with some impressive ecolodges on offer in the Rift Valley. It suffered a setback in 2005 due to election-related riots and tensions with neighboring Eritrea (tensions that should be monitored while on a visit here), but it's back on the itinerary for 2009 and 2010 for those keen to trek its wastelands, experience its hospitality, and go looking for the Ark of the Covenant at unassuming Aksum.
|
