ETHIOPIA AREA: At 435,071 square miles (1,127,127 km² [69]), Ethiopia is the world's 27th-largest country (after Colombia). It is comparable in size to Bolivia, and is about two-thirds as large as the US state of Alaska.

GOVERNMENT: Federal Parliamentary republic

CAPITAL: Addis Ababa (Largest City).

PRESIDENT: Girma Wolde-Giorgis

PRIME MINISTER: Meles Zenawi

POPULATION & LANGUAGE: The population of Ethiopia is 75,067,000 as per 2006. Ethiopia has many indigenous languages (some 84 according to the Ethnologue), most of them Afro-Asiatic (Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic), plus some that are Nilo-Saharan. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Amharic (Official Language) was the language of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages such as Oromifa and Tigrinya.

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE: Elevation and geographic location produce three climatic zones: the cool zone above 2,400 meters (7,900 ft) where temperatures range from near freezing to 16 °C (32 °–61 °F); the temperate zone at elevations of 1,500 to 2,400 meters (4,900–7,900 ft) with temperatures from 16 to 30 °C (61–86 °F); and the hot zone below 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) with both tropical and arid conditions and daytime temperatures ranging from 27 to 50 °C (81–122 °F).

PEOPLE AND CULTURE:

People: Around 32 percent of the population of Ethiopia is made up of the Amhara, who founded the original nation, and the related Tigreans, both of which are highland people of partly Semitic origin. While Amharic, the country's official language, is spoken by more than half of the population, English and Arabic are also widely spoken. The population comprises more than 80 nationalities speaking about 83 languages and several dialects. The ethnic groups of Oromo, Amhara, Tigre and Sidama are the largest in that order.

Art & Culture: Ethiopia excels in the field of literature and has to its credit numerous translations from ancient Greek, Arabic, and other languages to the ancient Gecez and modern Amharic. Most of the literature is theological or mythological in nature. Secular literature is largely confined to history. Besides literature, the country is also rich in ecclesiastical architecture, which shows both Byzantine and Coptic influences. Ethiopia also excels in beautiful silver work.

Economy: The economy of Ethiopia is based on agriculture, which accounts for half of the GDP, 85% of exports and 80% of total employment. However, the agriculture sector is often subject to frequent droughts and poor civilization practices. Coffee is very essential to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $270 million in 2000/01.

CURRENCY:

Observe of an 1 Ethiopian birr Reverse of an 1 Ethiopian birr

Subunit

1/100 santim Symbol Br Coins 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 santim

Banknotes 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 birr Central bank National Bank of Ethiopia

Website www.nbe.gov.et

Currency

1.0 ETB = 4.29 INR (Ethiopia Birr = Indian Rupees) 1.0 ETB = 0.11 USD (Ethiopia Birr = USD)

SOCIAL LIFE AND RECREATION National and Public Holidays The Ethiopian Government observes 13 public holidays in the course of the year. Of these, 9 fall on the same date each year, whereas 4 vary from year to year depending on the position of the moon. The international Christmas Day (25 December) is observed as a holiday by the U.N. System, but not by the Government.

EDUCATION Educational System Addis Ababa University was established in 1950 as a university college, but is now a full-fledged university which confers its own degrees in a wide range of disciplines, and also has a graduate school. The Alemaya College of Agriculture near Harar, founded in 1954 as part of Addis Ababa University, became an independent Agricultural University in 1985. In addition, there are 16 junior colleges offering specialized training in agriculture, technology, trade and commerce, and teacher education. Seven are in Addis Ababa, and the other nine in provincial towns in various parts of the country. Education Facilities for Foreign Residents Foreign nationals are not accepted in the public schools of Ethiopia. However, there are quite a few private schools in Addis Ababa specifically for the children of foreign residents. Like

INDIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Telephone: 11.70.66, 12.00.46 P.O.Box: 21499, Addis Ababa Language of Instruction: English Notes: Follows a combined Indian/British curriculum. Covers grades 1-10. Year: April-March with an extended holiday from mid-June to late August

TRANSPORT • Air

The main gateway airport is Addis Ababa Bole: Check in time: 2 hours recommended.

Airport to City: 8 kilometres / 5 miles. Bus service takes approximately 30 minutes. Taxi service takes approximately 30 minutes.

Airport tax: Domestic departure tax 5 Birr. International departure tax 50 Birr. Scheduled airlines flying to Addis Ababa and their direct, international, scheduled departure points include:

Aeroflot (to/from Larnaca, Moscow, Saana). Ethiopian Airlines Kenya Airways (to/from Nairobi). Lufthansa (to/from Frankfurt). Saudia Air (to/from Jeddah, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum). Sudan Airways (to/from Khartoum). Yemenia Airways (to/from Saana).

Other international airports, Dire Dawa: Check in time: 1 hour. Airport to City: 2.5 kilometres / 1.5 miles. Airport tax: Domestic departure tax 5 Birr. International departure tax 50 Birr. Scheduled airlines flying to Dire Dawa and their direct international, scheduled

departure points include: Ethiopian Airlines (to/from Djibouti).

• Land There are land borders with Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan.

• Train Train services operate from Djibouti to Addis Ababa. The line is very slow.

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY: Addis Ababa television is available in Addis Ababa and its suburbs. Radio Ethiopia provides two radio stations.

The international calling code for Ethiopia is +251

Internet country code - .et

Package delivery services – Aramex, DHL, Fedex.

PLACES OF INTEREST ADDIS ABABA BAHAR DAR Angel Gabriel Church. Blue Nile Falls. Giorgis Cathedral, built 1896. Tisisat Falls / Blue Nile Falls. Haile Selassie's Grand Palace. Island monasteries on Lake Tana. Institute of Ethiopian Studies Museum. Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Menelik II Mausoleum. Saturday Market. Merkato Market, one of the world's largest, open air. Trinity Cathedral.

GONDAR LALIBALA Church of Debre Birhan Selassie. Churches carved out of the rock, 12th and 13th centuries. Fasilidas Castles. Kusquam's Palace. TRAVEL TIPS For the most part traveling in Ethiopia is safe, but you should take the same precautions as you would traveling in any poor country. • Avoid all border areas (with Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya and Sudan) since there's still

pockets of political unrest, and kidnapping of tourists in these areas have occurred in the past.

• Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage. • Don't walk on your own at night in Addis Ababa and other major tourist towns. • Watch out for pickpockets at the Mercato in Addis Ababa • Don't wear jewelry and avoid carrying too much cash with you. • Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes. • Don't carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities. locals may expect a

small payment in return for being photographed. Video photography in famous tourist attractions occasionally carries a small charge. Photography may be prohibited in airports and near military camps.

• Avoid travel at night because roads are perilously filled with potholes, livestock, and broken down vehicles.

• Tipping: In most hotels and restaurants, a 10% service charge is added to the bill. Tipping is usual, but amounts are small.

• Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted on a very limited basis.

VISA REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURE:

Valid Passport One Visa Application form Duly filled in Capital's and Signed as per Passport Two Recent Colour Passport Size Photograph's Covering Letter from Indian Company Stating Applicant's Name, Designation, Purpose & Duration of Visit Invitation from Ethiopia Stating Applicant's Name, Designation, Purpose & Duration of Visit Return Confirmed Air Ticket's for Stay Duration Foreign Exchange Duly Endorsed / Valid International Credit Card Copy Yellow Fever Certificate for Processing Visa A letter of recommendation from an Indian Chamber of Commerce. Time Taken: 02-03 Working Days

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Subject Type of Service Telephone Number

Ambulance Emergency Non-Emergency

995 1777

Fire Fire Service 995 Flight Information Automated 24-hour service 1800-542 4422 Police Emergency 999 EMBASSIES: Embassy of India Embassy of Ethiopia Kabena Aware District, Embassy of the Federal Democratic Post Box No. 528 Addis Ababa, Republic of Ethiopia 7/50-G, Ethiopia Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi - 110021 Tel : 2511-552100, 550694, 556610/11 Tel: 91-11-2611 9513/4, 24675366/77 Fax : 2511-552521/305 Fax:91-11-26875731 Email : rajdut@telecom.net.et Email: delethem@yahoo.com

REGIONAL OFFICE

Country Manager: Mr. Saurabh Sharma International Consultants and Technocrats Ethiopia Private Ltd., Higher 17, Kebele 03/05, House No 2082, P.O.Box-0279 (code 1110), Infront of Bole Telecommunication, Bole Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: 00251-1-16510514/ 6510196 Fax: 00251-11-6612566, Mobile: 00251-911456585 E-mail: ictaa@ethionet.et, Internet: www.ictonline.com; Alternate Email: saurabhsharma@ictonline.com

Guest House

• Subcity: Bole, Kebele03, House No. 1293, Telephone No. +251-11-6639333

• Subcity: Bole, Kebele:03, House No. 1272, Telephone No. +251-11-6180394