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Ethiopia
The only African state never colonized, heir to the Aksumite civilization and one of the world's oldest Christian nations.
Overview
Ethiopia's history stretches from the D'mt kingdom through Aksum, one of the great powers of late antiquity, to the medieval Solomonic dynasty and modern republic.
Basic Information
CapitalAddis Ababa
Population126 million
Area1,104,300 km²
CurrencyBirr (ETB)
LanguagesAmharic, Oromo, 80+ others
RegionSub-Saharan Africa
History Timeline
- c. 980 BCELegendary Solomonic origin
- c. 100 – 940 CEKingdom of Aksum
- 330Aksum adopts Christianity
- 1270 – 1974Solomonic dynasty
- 1896Battle of Adwa: Ethiopia defeats Italy
- 1974Overthrow of Haile Selassie
Ancient Peoples
- D'mt
- Aksumites
- Cushites
Ancient Kingdoms
- D'mt
- Aksum
- Zagwe
- Solomonic Ethiopia
Empires
- Aksumite Empire
- Ethiopian Empire
Religions
- Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
- Islam
Culture
Ge'ez script, rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, coffee ceremony.
Language
Amharic is the working language; Ge'ez is liturgical.
Important Battles
- Battle of Adwa1896
Ethiopian victory over Italy
Historical Figures
Ezana
c. 320 – 360
Aksumite king who adopted Christianity
Menelik II
1889 – 1913
Emperor who defeated Italy at Adwa
Haile Selassie
1930 – 1974
Last emperor of Ethiopia
Archaeological Sites
- Aksum
- Lalibela
- Yeha
- Gondar
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Aksum
- Fasil Ghebbi Gondar
- Lower Valley of the Awash (Lucy)
Dynasties
- Aksumite
- Zagwe
- Solomonic
Colonial Period
Briefly occupied by Italy 1936 – 1941 but never formally colonized.
Modern History
Federal Democratic Republic since 1995.