Ethiopia National Day
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(Anniversary special) Ethiopia National Day Gondar: Camelot of Africa EMBASSY OF Diverse geography, long history offer something for all ETHIOPIA With abundant historical and natural rich Bale Mountains, the spectacular Erta byword for biodiversity, thanks to its rich Nechisar nightjar, which many regard to be resources, Ethiopia has drawn tourists from all Ale volcano, and the world’s fourth-holiest mosaic of high-altitude habitats, wealth of the world’s rarest bird. over the world. The following are excerpts from Islamic city in the form of the ancient endemic wildlife, including the charismatic the Ethiopian Tourism Organization website to walled citadel of Harar. Ethiopian wolf, and its ranking as one of World Heritage sites introduce some of the attractions the country in Ideal for those seeking an off-the-beaten- Africa’s top-five birding hotspots. Ethiopia’s immense cultural, paleontologi- the Horn of Africa offers. For further informa- track experience, the West — the Lush Set below the spectacular crater of Fan- cal and natural wealth is reflected in its tion, see https://www.ethiopia.travel . Nature and Coffee Route passes through telle volcano, Awash National Park pro- tally of nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, enchanting highland forests, their canopies tects a semiarid tract of Rift Valley floor the most of any country in Africa, accord- Ethiopia is a vast country with a daunting alive with birds and monkeys and under- inhabited by dry-country antelope such ing to UNESCO’s list. Eight of these nine variety of attractions to dazzle first time brush dense with Arabica coffee, before as the handsome beisa oryx and the mag- sites are cultural and one — the Simien visitors. The best way to explore it is along descending to the swampy lowlands of nificent spiral-horned greater kudu, along Mountains National Park — is natural. one or two of the established routes. Gambella National Park, site of Africa’s with almost 500 bird species. The medieval complex of rock-hewn Centered on the capital, the Addis Ababa second-largest antelope migration. Still being developed for tourism, the churches at Lalibela is sub-Saharan Africa’s Route — embracing everything from rock- The Rift Valley and the Cultural Mosaic of underrated Chebera-Churchura National most breathtaking historical site, compris- fourth-holiest city in the Islamic world, prising 36 engraved megaliths erected hewn churches and lush montane forests the South Route, passing through highlands Park in the western highlands is the most ing as it does 11 churches and two chapels after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and its in medieval times as to mark a mysteri- to informative museums and cultural res- incised by the gaping floor of the Great Rift reliable place in Ethiopia to see elephants, excavated in the 12th century. 48 hectares are crammed with an incred- ous burial complex of unknown cultural taurants showcasing Ethiopia’s unique Valley and string of pretty lakes, is a byword which can be tracked on foot through the Founded more than 3,000 years ago, the ible 82 mosques and 438 other shrines. affiliations. cuisine and music — is well suited to those for scenic splendor, superb birdwatching and swampy Maka Forest with the help of ancient capital of Aksum — surrounded by The most striking feature of the Konso Though not geared toward tourism, the seeking cosmopolitan urban attractions or a thrilling cultural mosaic epitomized by the experienced guides. towering obelisks and ruined palaces dat- Cultural Landscape is its warren-like ter- Lower Valley of the Awash River is one of who have limited time to explore. ethnic diversity of remote South Omo. Gambella National Park, Ethiopia’s larg- ing back to its heyday — was once home to raced hilltop villages and anthropomor- Africa’s most important paleontological The craggy escarpments and ancient est, is at its most alluring between March the Queen of Sheba and is now reputedly phic wooden grave-markers known as sites, having yielded numerous important towns of the Historic North and the Simien National parks and June, when Africa’s second-largest the last resting place of the Biblical Ark of waka. hominid fossils including the 3.2-million- Mountains Route are studded with atmo- Inscribed as a UNESCO Natural World Heri- antelope migration, comprising an esti- the Covenant. Ethiopia’s only Natural World Heritage year-old Australopithecus afarensis female spheric ruins and shrines — among them four tage site in 1979, Simien Mountains National mated 1.2 million white-tailed kob, crosses The Fasil Ghebbi at Gondar — dubbed site, Simien Mountains National Park is nicknamed Lucy. UNESCO World Heritage sites — that pay rich Park is Ethiopia’s premier hiking destination, there from South Sudan. the Camelot of Africa — is renowned for its renowned for its spectacular scenery and The Lower Valley of the Omo River is testament to a unique cultural heritage. renowned for its jagged peaks, jaw-dropping The diverse landscapes of Nech Sar fairytale castles and intricately decorated the presence of endemic animals such as another important but difficult-to-explore The East — Danakil, Harar and Bale precipice, and wealth of endemic animals National Park include the twin lakes churches built during imperial Ethiopia’s walia ibex and gelada baboons. paleontological region, having yielded Aus- Mountains Route — is wonderfully varied, including walia ibex and gelada baboons. Chamo and Abaya, and the wide-open 17th century prime. A short drive south of the capital Addis tralopithecus and Homo fossils dating back embracing the misty peaks of the wildlife- Bale Mountains National Park is a Nech Sar (white grass) plains, home to the The walled citadel of Harar Jugol is the Ababa, Tiya is an archeological site com- 2.4 million years. Congratulations Congratulations to the People of Congratulations to the People of the Federal Democratic to the People of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the 26th Anniversary of Republic of Ethiopia on the 26th Anniversary Their National Day Simien Mountains National Park EMBASSY OF ETHIOPIA on the 26th Anniversary of Their National Day We support the Ethiopian coffee industry through BROOK’S coffee concern. of Their National Day Metals/ Global Production Parts & Logistics/ Automotive/ Machinery, Energy & Project/ Chemicals & Electronics/Food & Agribusiness/ Consumer Products & Services Head Office : 4-9-8, Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 81-52-584-5000 Tokyo Head Office : 2-3-13, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 81-3-4306-5000 Importer, Roaster and Seller of Ethiopian coffee THE MOTOR & ENGINEERING COMPANY OF ETHIOPIA (MOENCO) BROOK’S CO., LTD. (Official Authorized Toyota Distributor in Ethiopia) P.O. Box 5727, Bole Sub-City Kebele 03, House No. 2441, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 4-54-6 Utsukushigaoka, Aoba-ku, Yokohama 225-8539 TEL: 251-11-6613688 FAX: 251-11-6611766 Web site: http://www.moencoethiopia.com/ PAGE: 7.