The Probert Encyclopaedia of Places of the World

ETHIOPIA

The federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia until the 20th century) is a country in north-east Africa. It has a total area of 1,221,900 km2. The climate is tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variations, the country is also prone to extended droughts. The terrain is high plateau with a central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley. Natural resources are small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash. The religion is 40-45% Muslim, 35-40% Ethiopian Orthodox, 15-20% animist, 5% other. The official language spoken is Amharic with Afaan, Tigrigna, Oromo, Arabic and English also spoken.
Ethiopia was a powerful Christian kingdom from the 1st century AD until by 1889 it had become fragmented. King Menelik II subsequently reunified the country and repulsed an Italian invasion.
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