Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Addis_Abeba06_(Sam_Effron).jpg
Author: Sam Effron


Addis Ababa is the capital and biggest city in Ethiopia. Also written Addis Abeba by the official Ethiopian Mapping Authority, the name means "new flower" in the Amharic language. It is located at the heart of the country, at an elevation of 2,355 m (7,726 ft) above sea level. Addis Ababa covers 530.14 sq km (204.69 sq mi) and has a population of 3.4 million people (2012 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 4.6 million people.

Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, on the site chosen by his consort, Empress Taytu Betul. It was originally named hora Finfinnee, or hot springs, after the mineral springs located in the Oromo neighborhood of the city. The name was later changed to Addis Ababa and made the capital when Menelik II became the Emperor of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Empire had several skirmishes with the colonizing Italians. In 1896, the Italians suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Adwa. However in 1936 they invaded Addis Ababa in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, and made the city the capital of Italian East Africa (Africa Orientale Italiana). The defeat of the Italians to British forces enabled Emperor Haile Selassie to return to Addis Ababa in 1941 to reestablish the Ethiopian capital.

Today Addis Ababa is a bustling city. Its economy is supported by trade, commerce, manufacturing and other industries. There are quite a number of landmarks and tourist attractions in the city.

Mercato, the market in Addis Ababa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MercatoAddisAbeba08.jpg
Author: JanManu

Visiting Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is served by the Bole International Airport (ADD), the busiest airport in East Africa.

Places of Interest in Addis Ababa

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