The General Characteristics of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is located at the Horn of Africa and is the 10th largest Country in Africa. Oromo and Amharic are the two main languages spoken in Ethiopia, although there are over two hundred different dialects spoken in Ethiopia. There are numerous tribes and ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Just like the people of Africa in general, the people of Ethiopia are a diverse group with over eighty different ethnic groups within its borders, with Oromo being the largest. Ethiopia’s population has grown from nine million in the 1800’s to over eighty two million today, which is the second largest in Africa. The only African state to retain its independence during “the scramble for Africa” period, which was in the 1800’s was Ethiopia. They maintained their independence by defeating Italy in the First Italo-Ethiopian War (1895-1896). Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar consisting of 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days. It is roughly 7 and a half years behind the Gregorian calendar. As with many equatorial countries, the sun dictates time in Ethiopia.

The sunrise marks the beginning of the day and the sunset marks the end of the day. What most of the world would call 7:00, Ethiopians would call 1:00. Both noon and midnight are 6:00 in Ethiopia. Coffee, one of the world's most popular beverages, was discovered in Ethiopia, in the region of Kaffa. Ethiopia is the home of the black Jews, also known as the Falashas, Ethiopia then adopted Christianity in the 4th century making it one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. Islam also appeared early in Ethiopia during the time of Mohammed, when his followers fled persecution in Arabia and sought refuge in Ethiopia.

Environmental Issues

The major environmental issues facing Ethiopia include deforestation, soil erosion and depletion of nutrients in the soil which, in parts of the northern highlands are leading to a worrying increase in desertification. Drought also occurs frequently and the economy's heavy reliance on rainwater makes the effects more severe, resulting in food shortages and famines. Little of the natural vegetation of the Ethiopian highlands remains today except for south and south-western parts of the country. The influence of man and his domestic animals has changed both the vegetation and the landscape. Ecological degradation, including deforestation and erosion is widespread particularly in the northern and central highlands. In the late 19th century 35-40 percent of Ethiopia was covered by forests. Soil degradation is the most immediate environmental problem facing Ethiopia.

The loss of soil, and the deterioration in fertility, moisture storage capacity and structure of the remaining soils, all reduce the country's agricultural productivity. Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of soil nutrient depletion in sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly 20 percent of all households use dung cakes as a source of fuel for cooking. Estimates say that the annual phosphorus and nitrogen loss nationwide, from the use of dung for fuel is equivalent to the total amount of commercial fertilizer applied annually. Land degradation is further exacerbated by overgrazing, deforestation, population pressure, perceived land tenure insecurity and lack of land use planning.

Comparison between Australia and Ethiopia

If Ethiopia was your home instead of Australia you would die 21.32 years sooner, be 12.6 times more likely to die in infancy, be 3.1 times more likely to be unemployed, 13 times more likely to have HIV/AIDS, be 7.4 times likely to be murmured, make 96.98% less money, spend 99.71% less money on healthcare, use 99.52% less electricity, consume 98.9% less oil, be 22.92 % less likely to be in prison, experience 8.91% more of a class divide and have 3.1% times more babies.