Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an ancient country in East Africa. It has its own calendar, its own alphabet, and is the birthplace of coffee. Ethiopia is one of the oldest nations on Earth and was never colonized by a European power.

Land and People

About 120 million people live in Ethiopia. The capital is Addis Ababa. Ethiopia has highland plateaus, the Great Rift Valley, and the Simien Mountains. The Blue Nile Falls are sometimes called the Niagara of Africa.

Very old human skull found in Ethiopia.
Very old human skull found in Ethiopia. (Alessandrosmerilli / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Legend says a goat herder in Ethiopia discovered coffee when his goats got excited after eating coffee berries. Injera, a spongy flatbread, is used as a plate and utensil. Ethiopia has rock-hewn churches in Lalibela carved out of solid stone. Ethiopian runners are world famous.

Fun Facts

  • Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia.
  • Ethiopia has its own calendar that is about 7 years behind the Western calendar.
  • Ethiopia's Lalibela has 11 churches carved entirely out of rock.

Did You Know?

Ethiopia has its own unique calendar with 13 months. Twelve months have 30 days each, and the 13th month has 5 or 6 days. The Ethiopian calendar is also about 7 years behind the Western calendar, so their New Year falls in September.