Ethiopia - interesting facts

If you like to learn the unknown, do not be afraid of inconveniences and unsanitary conditions, strive to increase the stress-resistance while traveling - go to Ethiopia . Give yourself an opportunity to find out what lies behind the phrase "it happens and worse" and love your life with special trepidation. In this article, a number of interesting facts about the country of Ethiopia are selected, which you, having tried on the role of the researcher, you can check on your own experience.

If you like to learn the unknown, do not be afraid of inconveniences and unsanitary conditions, strive to increase the stress-resistance while traveling - go to Ethiopia . Give yourself an opportunity to find out what lies behind the phrase "it happens and worse" and love your life with special trepidation. In this article, a number of interesting facts about the country of Ethiopia are selected, which you, having tried on the role of the researcher, you can check on your own experience.

Geographical and natural facts

Perhaps, it begins with the geographical features of the country and its unique natural phenomena:

1. Ethiopia is almost the most ancient state on Earth, and its population is second in the ranking of African countries, second only to Nigeria.
2. Ethiopia is the highest country on the African continent. Its highest point, the Ras-Dashen mountain , reaches 4620 m in height. More than 70% of all mountain ranges of Africa are located on the territory of this country.
3. Ethiopia takes one more second position. This time - in the ranking of the largest lakes in Africa. This is the Tana water reservoir, located in the north-west of the country. In the waters of this lake originates the largest river of the continent - the Nile. Bathe here is not recommended categorically - the water is literally swarming with parasites.
4. The Great Rift Valley is a fault that clearly divides the country's territory into northern and western, clearly visible from outer space.
5. On the territory of Ethiopia is found one of the oldest primates - Gellada Baboon.
6. There is a theory that the first people appeared on the territory of Ethiopia, as evidenced by the female skeleton found here, whose age is over 3.5 million years.
7. The lowest point of Ethiopia is located at an altitude of 116 m above sea level. It is the desert of Danakil , also known as the only lava lake in the world of the volcano . The air temperature here can reach up to +70 ° C and never falls below +40 ° C.

Cultural and Religious Facts

For those who want to fully understand Ethiopia, a number of interesting facts have been selected in the cultural plan:

1. Among Ethiopia's population there are more than 100 different nationalities and tribes .
2. State language is recognized as Amharic. In its structure, there are 7 vowels and 28 consonants. In the speech of the Ethiopians, more than 100 different languages ​​and dialects are heard.
3. Ethiopia is almost the only country in which Orthodoxy is preached. Nevertheless, one third of its inhabitants are Muslims.
4. Ethiopia's uniqueness also lies in the fact that Christianity preaches its own teaching - the Ethiopian church or Eastern Christianity.
5. The local calendar is 13 months old. 12 of them are for 30 days, and the last - 5 or 6 days, depending on whether it is a leap year. The new year they, incidentally, is celebrated in September.
6. New days for the Ethiopians begin with the sunrise and last till sunset. Usual to us 7:00 in Ethiopia are designated as 01:00, and midnight and noon - 06:00.
7. All the hard work in Ethiopia is performed by women. Men also sew and clean shoes.
8. The grandfather of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin was from Ethiopia. In honor of the poet, one of the streets of the capital was named, on which a monument to the great Russian classic was recently erected.
9. This country is the birthplace of coffee. During the use of this drink, real coffee ceremonies are performed. For a fee, a tourist can demonstrate this tradition even in the first house that fell.

To the tourist on a note

Ethiopia is a country with its own rules and traditions. So that the tourist does not get trapped, you need to learn a few interesting facts that will help to behave correctly in the local society:

1. Although Ethiopia is recognized as a secular state, the influence of religion is still the main behavioral factor. To express their opinion on the current state of affairs in the country, or to discuss various theological theories here is highly discouraged. Ethiopians react very sharply to this kind of conversation.
2. The manifestation of homosexual inclinations will lead to an inevitable conflict. Even heterosexual couples are not recommended to give each other attention signs.
3. Begging is the secret basis of state policy. That's just beggars on the street can also steal. It is not uncommon for teenagers to surround tourists with a pack, emptying the contents of their pockets. In such cases, the only way out is to choose the most valuable because of everything that is with you, and protect it to the last.