Geography

Area: 1.1 million sq. km (472,000 sq. mi.); about the size of Texas, Oklahoma,
and New Mexico combined.

Cities: Capital--Addis Ababa (pop. 5 million). Other
cities--Dire Dawa (237,000), Nazret (189,000), Gondar (163,000), Dessie
(142,000), Mekelle (141,000), Bahir Dar (140,000), Jimma (132,000), Awassa
(104,000).


Terrain: High plateau, mountains, dry lowland plains.

Climate: Temperate in the highlands; hot in the lowlands.



People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Ethiopian(s).

Population (est.): 80 million.

Annual growth rate (est.): 3.2%.

Ethnic groups (est.): Oromo 40%, Amhara 25%, Tigre 7%, Somali 6%, Sidama 9%,
Gurage 2%, Wolaita 4%, Afar 4%, other nationalities 3%.

Religions (est.): Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 40%, Sunni Muslim 45-50%,
Protestant 5%, remainder indigenous beliefs.

Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Arabic, Guaragigna, Oromifa, English,
Somali.

Education: Years compulsory--none. Attendance
(elementary)--57%. Literacy--43%.

Health: Infant mortality rate--93/1,000 live births.

Work force: Agriculture--80%. Industry and commerce--20%.



Government

Type: Federal republic.

Constitution: Ratified 1994.

Branches: Executive--president, Council of State, Council of
Ministers. Executive power resides with the prime minister. Legislative--bicameral
parliament. Judicial--divided into federal and regional courts.

Administrative subdivisions: 9 regions and 2 special city administrations: Addis
Ababa and Dire Dawa.

Political parties: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF),
the Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) party, the United Ethiopian Democratic
Forces (UEDF), Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), and other small
parties.

Suffrage: Universal starting at age 18.

Central government budget (2009/2010): $5.2 billion.

Defense: $354 million (1.19% of GDP FY 2009/2010).

National holiday: May 28.



Economy

GDP (FY 2008-2009): $32.3 billion.

Annual growth rate (2009-2010, government estimate): 9.9%.

GDP per capita (2009): $404.

Average inflation rate (FY 2008-2009): 36%.

Natural resources: Potash, salt, gold, copper, platinum, natural gas
(unexploited).

Agriculture (45% of GDP): Products--coffee, cereals, pulses,
oilseeds, khat, meat, hides and skins. Cultivated land--17%.

Industry (13% of GDP): Types--textiles, processed foods,
construction, cement, and hydroelectric power.

Services (42% of GDP).

Trade (2008): Exports--$1.5 billion. Imports--$6.8 billion; plus
remittances--official est. $970 million; unofficial est. $815 million.

Fiscal year: July 8-July 7.