Ethiopia is a country in East Africa, Africa with a rich history, unique culture and some remarkable records. Here are the most interesting facts about Ethiopia that most people don't know.
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee — legend says a 9th-century goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became energetic after eating coffee berries. The country also uses its own unique calendar, which is currently about 7 years behind the rest of the world.
Ethiopia is the only African country never to be colonised by a European power.
Coffee originated in Ethiopia — the word coffee comes from the region of Kaffa.
Ethiopia uses a different calendar — it is currently 7–8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopians celebrate New Year on September 11th or 12th.
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee — legend says a 9th-century goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became energetic after eating coffee berries. The country also uses its own unique calendar, which is currently about 7 years behind the rest of the world.
Ethiopia is known for several remarkable places that attract visitors and define the country's identity:
UNESCO 13th-century churches carved entirely from living red rock — called 'Africa's Petra'
A UNESCO dramatic highland plateau with endemic gelada baboons and walia ibex
UNESCO towering granite stelae from a powerful ancient empire that traded with Rome
The world's hottest inhabited place — a surreal alien landscape of lava lakes and salt flats
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee — legend says a 9th-century goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became energetic after eating coffee berries. The country also uses its own unique calendar, which is currently about 7 years behind the rest of the world.
The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia has a population of approximately 126.5M.
The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic.
Ethiopia gained independence in Never colonized.
Ethiopia uses the Birr (ETB).