1961
10,850,000
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
38,609,884
Change
+27,759,884
Overview
Ethiopia is a woolly wonderful nation in the Horn of Africa — ancient, diverse, and absolutely baa-rilliant. Home to over 120 million people and one of Africa's oldest civilizations, it's a country that never fails to fleece visitors with awe.
Geography
Ethiopia is landlocked and sits on the Ethiopian Highlands, Africa's largest mountain massif. The Blue Nile originates at Lake Tana, the Rift Valley cuts through the south, and the Danakil Depression is one of Earth's hottest and lowest places.
History
Ethiopia is one of the world's oldest nations, home to the ancient Aksumite Empire and never colonized during the Scramble for Africa. Emperor Haile Selassie ruled until 1974, and the country endured civil war before becoming a federal republic in 1995.
Culture
Ethiopia boasts over 80 ethnic groups and languages, with Amharic as the official tongue. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church shapes much of daily life. Timkat and Meskel are major festivals, and traditional music features the masinko fiddle and krar lyre.
Economy
Agriculture drives Ethiopia's economy, employing most of the population. Coffee, cut flowers, and oilseeds are top exports. Ethiopia also has a significant livestock sector — including millions of sheep — making it one of Africa's largest wool and meat producers.
Food
Injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread, is the beloved base of Ethiopian cuisine, topped with spiced stews called wot. Lamb tibs — sautéed lamb with herbs — is a crowd favorite, proving Ethiopian sheep are truly stars of the dinner table.
Tourism
Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, the ancient obelisks of Aksum, Simien Mountains National Park, and the colorful tribes of the Omo Valley draw visitors worldwide. Addis Ababa's National Museum houses Lucy, the famous 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil.
People
Ethiopia is home to diverse groups including the Oromo, Amhara, Tigrinya, and Somali peoples. Notable Ethiopians include marathon legend Haile Gebrselassie and Nobel Peace Prize–winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who took office in 2018.
Nature
The Simien and Bale Mountains host endemic species like the Ethiopian wolf and gelada baboon. The Rift Valley lakes teem with flamingos and hippos. Ethiopia's highlands are prime grazing land, keeping its enormous flock of sheep very well-fed indeed.
Fun Facts
Ethiopia follows its own calendar with 13 months, so it's often 7–8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. Coffee was discovered here — legend credits a goat herder, but we suspect a curious sheep was nearby. Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa.
