Do you want to explore a land filled with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique traditions? If so, Ethiopia might be the perfect destination for you! Located in East Africa, Ethiopia is a country known for its incredible coffee, diverse cultures, and fascinating calendar system.

Despite not being the first place that comes to mind for a holiday, Ethiopia has been enjoying peace for over 15 years and has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Let's dive into 7 fascinating facts about Ethiopia that might just inspire you to add it to your bucket list!

7 Things You Never Knew About Ethiopia

Let's have a look at 7 amazing facts about Ethiopia that everyone should know.

Unique Calendar System

Ethiopia follows a unique calendar system that sets it apart from much of the world. Ethiopia's calendar uses thirteen months every year, as opposed to twelve, like the normal Gregorian calendar that is used by many other nations. Every month has thirty days, and if there is a leap year, there is an extra month that has five or six days.

As a result, there can be occasional confusion when comparing dates because their calendar differs somewhat from ours. Moreover, the Ethiopian calendar deviates from the Gregorian calendar for several years. According to their calendar, Ethiopia might be in the year 2017, while the rest of the world might be, say, in 2024.

Ethiopia is Known as a Country Full of Celebrations

Ethiopia is known for its exciting festivals, which are full of bright colors and cultural importance. One of the most special festivals is called Timket, and it lasts for three days. Timket is all about remembering when Jesus Christ was cherished in the river Jordan. During this festival, priests carry special items called 'Tabots,' which are like copies of the Ark of the Covenant, to the nearest water source.

Then, there's a big ceremony where people get baptized together. It's amazing to see! Everyone wears beautiful white clothes, but the priests wear colorful robes and carry fancy umbrellas. Timket is a wonderful celebration of faith, tradition, and togetherness, showing what Ethiopian culture is all about.

The Capital City of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia, and it's really high up in the mountains, about 2400 meters above sea level. So, if you climb some stairs there, you'll definitely feel it! Even though it's a busy and dusty city, it's also super important globally. It's where the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa have their headquarters. In the language spoken there, Amharic, Addis Ababa means "New Flower."

The city was founded in 1886 and now has about 4 million people living there. It's growing really fast and lots of people from around the world visit because there's so much to see and do. You can explore colorful markets, watch traditional dances, try delicious food, and see beautiful art. Addis Ababa is also known for being one of the highest capital cities in the world, and it's about 7,726 feet above sea level.

Ethiopia Is the Only Nation that Utilizes a 12-Hour Clock

In Ethiopia, timekeeping follows a distinct system that differs from the standard 24-hour clock used in many countries. Instead, Ethiopia employs a 12-hour clock that aligns with the cycle of daylight. This means that the clock is set from dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk. For example, when the sun rises at 7 am, it's considered 1 o'clock in Ethiopian time.

Similarly, noon corresponds to 6 o'clock, marking 6 hours after sunrise. This unique approach to time measurement can be puzzling for foreigners initially, but it's a matter of adjustment. While most areas in Ethiopia adhere to this system, some regions may use the standard 24-hour clock.

Ethiopia Was Ruled by Queen Sheba

Long ago, there was a powerful queen named the Queen of Sheba who ruled over Ethiopia. She was famous for her wealth and wisdom. At the same time, there was a great king named Solomon who ruled over Israel and Jerusalem, and people believed he was chosen by God.

According to stories, the Queen of Sheba traveled a long way to meet King Solomon and give him gifts from her kingdom. This story is written in the Bible in the books of Kings and Chronicles. While there isn't solid evidence, some buildings in Ethiopia show similarities to those found in Yemen, where the Queen of Sheba was said to be from.

Ethiopia Is Home to Most of Africa's Mountainous Regions

Ethiopia is not only rich in culture and history but also boasts stunning natural landscapes. One remarkable aspect of its geography is its abundance of mountains, which make up over half of all the mountains in Africa! These mountains add to the country's unique beauty, which includes low deserts and volcanic plateaus. One of Ethiopia's standout features is Erta Ale, a volcano with the longest-existing lava lake in the world.

This volcano is situated in the Danakil Depression, known as one of the driest, lowest, and hottest places on Earth. Despite its extreme conditions, it remains one of the most active volcanoes globally. The last known eruption of Erta Ale occurred in 2005, highlighting both the beauty and the power of Ethiopia's natural wonders.

Ethiopians Took Home the First Olympic Gold Medal

The first African to win an Olympic gold medal was Abebe Bikila, who was from Ethiopia. He was a marathon runner and made history by winning the gold medal in the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics. What amazed everyone even more was that he ran the marathon barefoot and finished in record time. Abebe Bikila won another gold medal four years later in the Tokyo Olympics, but this time he wore shoes.

The Bottom Line!

Ethiopia is an amazing place with lots of cool stuff to learn about. From its old history to its yummy food and beautiful landscapes, Ethiopia has something for everyone. By knowing these 7 things about Ethiopia, you can understand and enjoy this special country even more.