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“What health requirements
do I need to fulfill in order to enter the country? What other
vaccinations or medications are suggested to ensure that I
remain healthy during travel?”
“How big is the country?”
Ethiopia, as large as France and Spain combined,
has an area of 1,235,000 square kilometers. About 65% of the
land is arable, with 15% presently cultivated.
“How would you
describe the climate?”
In Ethiopia there are two seasons. The dry season, which
prevails from October through May, with January through March
being the hottest months, has temperatures ranging from 8°
C (32° F) to 28° C (87° F), with an average of
15°C (60° F) and sways between cool and breezy to
very, very hot. The wet season runs from June to September;
temperatures during this season go from 10° C (50 °F)
to 20° F (68° F), with the heaviest rains in July
and August.
“What’s
the topography of the country?”
Ethiopia has an elevated central plateau that varies in height
between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. In the north and center of
the country there are some twenty-five mountains whose peaks
rise over 4,000 meters. The most famous Ethiopian river is
the Blue Nile (or Abay), which runs a distance of 1,450 kilometers
from its source in Lake Tana to join the White Nile at Khartoum
in Sudan.
“How
can I get around in Ethiopia?”
In Ethiopia there are some 4,100 kilometers of asphalt roads
with a further 19,000 kilometers of gravel and dry-weather
roads. You can also travel by railway: a 778-klometer long
railway line, which carries both freight and passengers, links
Addis Ababa with Djibouti. The most convenient way of reaching
destinations outside of Addis is to travel by air: Ethiopian
Airlines has an extensive domestic network, flying to forty-three
airfields and an additional twenty-one landing strips within
the country.
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“Tell me about
the economy.”
About 90% of the population earns a living from the land,
mainly as subsistence farmers. Agriculture is the backbone
of the national economy, and the principal exports from this
sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables,
sugar and foodstuffs for animals. There is also a thriving
livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof, plus hides
and skins.
"What is the currency in Ethiopia?
What is the exchange rate?"
The national currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Exchange
rates vary but in general, UK £1 is worth roughly 13
ET Birr; US $1 is worth approximately 8.5 ET Birr. Other then
the four and five star hotels, few establishments accept credit
cards. Travelers' cheques can be exchanged within the city
and at all major tourist areas within the country. Foreign
currency can be exchanged for ET Birr at nearly every bank
and most hotels; US$ and UK£ are preferred. Ethiopian
banks are closed on Sunday.
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“What languages are spoken
there? Will I be able to communicate easily?”
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety; there
are over eighty-three languages spoken in the country, with
two hundred dialects. The three main languages are Amharic,
Tigrigna and Oromigna. In the capital city and the main tourist
cities including Lalibella, Gondar, Axum and Bahir Dar, English
is also widely spoken, and you should have no difficulties
in communicating.
“What is the current/electric
supply in the country? Will I be able to use my electric devices?”
Ethiopia uses 220 volts, 50 cycle AC, which means that you
will need to bring a transformer and adaptor with you if you
want to use your own appliances. You can also purchase the
converting devices here.
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“What newspapers are available
in Ethiopia? Will I have access to international publications?”
There are several foreign language newspapers published in
Ethiopia, including the daily Ethiopian Herald, and the entertainment
and shopping guide time out, both printed in English. You
can purchase international publications and magazines, including
The New York Times, The UK Times and The Guardian,
at the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels.
“What is the
time difference between my home and Ethiopia? What time zone
is it in?”
Ethiopia is in the GMT +3 hours time zone, which means that
it is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time during the
dry season, and two hours ahead during the wet season.
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“Describe the country’s
population.”
The population is estimated at 55 million, over 50% of whom
are under 20 years old. The average number of inhabitants
per square kilometer is 49. For the most part, the local population
is made up of Christians and Muslims.
“What hotels can I stay at
while I am in Ethiopia?”
The capital city of Addis Ababa offers hotels that cater to
all budgets and standards, from the luxurious Sheraton and
Hilton Hotels to the tourist-class hotels such as the Ghion,
the Ethiopia and the Wabi Shebele. All tourist locations also
offer a choice of modern hotels.
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“What are the visa and immigration
requirements to enter the country?”
Visa applications may be obtained from Ethiopia’s diplomatic
missions overseas. However, nationals of thirty-three countries
are now allowed to receive their tourist visas upon arrival
in Ethiopia at no additional charge. The list includes Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation,
South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom
and the United States.
“Are there any customs procedures?”
Like nearly all countries, Ethiopia’s duty-free import
rules are as follows:
a) Up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or ½ lb of tobacco
can be imported
b) Up to 1 litre of alcoholic beverages can be imported
c) Up to ½ litre, or two bottles, of perfume can be
imported.
Visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Ethiopian
Birr 500; additionally, some articles (such as animal skin
and antiques) require an export permit.
“Are taxis widely available?
Are they safe?”
The yellow hotel taxis are generally good-quality saloon
cars. They are stationed outside all major hotels and at the
airport. They have fixed rates, and a receipt is given for
the fare. For trips within the city you can also hail blue
cabs—make sure you haggle for the best price to your
destination! Taxis are considered very safe.
“What health requirements
do I need to fulfill in order to enter the country? What other
vaccinations or medications are suggested to ensure that I
remain healthy during travel?”
Prior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid
health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera
is also required for any person who has visited or transited
a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in
Ethiopia. Vaccinations for typhus, hepatitis A and B, meningitis,
diphtheria, tetanus, polio and tuberculosis are suggested
as well, and be sure to carry anti-malarial medications if
you plan to travel to high-risk malarial regions or if you
are visiting during the rainy season. Because health situations
vary everyday, we recommend that you consult professional
medical advice when planning your trip.
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