Located in the culturally diverse continent of Africa, Ethiopia is the most populous country locked with land from all sides. It is nestled between Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea. Addis Abba is its capital and also the largest city of the capital. Ethiopia is a beautiful country with numerous places and spectacular views to feast your eyes on.

With a culture as old as 3000 years, a visit to Ethiopia is like traveling back in time. The ancient cultures have been so preserved that it feels like that one has travelled to the past in a time machine. Ethiopia is not the typical place where everybody can go and have fun with the family. But those who have an interest in history and ancient culture, it is a perfect getaway.

Natural Attractions

Ethiopia’s natural attractions are a synonym for the word contrast. From the sky high peaks of Simien Mountains to the amazing depths of Danakil Depression, Ethiopia has it all. There are unbelievable types of landscapes. The beauty of Great Rift Valley, rivers with white water, monstrous waterfalls, thick forests and beautiful mountain peaks are just some of the many spectacular attractions at this beautiful place. There are also a number of national parks in Ethiopia and they are of great importance from tourism point of view.

Cultural Attractions

As mentioned earlier, Ethiopia’s culture is more than 3000 years old. There are more than 80 ethnic groups and even more number of languages. That speaks volumes about the cultural diversity of the country. There are innumerable religions and festivals which are celebrated here. The most widely known and distinctive feature of Ethiopian culture are its church ceremonies.

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The church here follows its own set of rules, different from any other church across the globe. These cultures are said to have originated in the fourth century and people are extremely proud of following them. The influence of Islam is pretty evident in the country since after the historic city of Harar is also known as the fourth holy city by Muslims across the world.

Archaeological Attractions

The country of Ethiopia is known as one of the earliest inhabited land by man. As a matter of fact a skeleton of human ancestor was also found here in the recent past. It has been proved by the experts that the skeleton was of a twenty-year old girl who existed about 3.5 million years ago.

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Hadar, situated in the east side of the capital city of Addis Ababa was the site of discovery. It has been included in the world heritage site is a major tourist spot. The discovery of the skeleton has been of giant help to the scientist and historians in connecting the link between apes and men and thus explaining the origin of humans.

Historical Attractions

The history of the country of Ethiopia is one thing its people are very proud of. It extends to the known beginnings of the very existence of mankind. Axumite kingdom was one of the greatest civilizations in the ancient period, and it was based here. The middle ages, or rather their latter part, mark the setting up of churches.

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These churches were special as they were carve out of a single monolithic rock. They represent the spectacular architectural skills of the people that time. The most famous of these are at Lalibela. Gondar is again one region famous for its architectural brilliance. The castles here are sheer example of excellence.

Places To Visit

There are numerous places one can visit and admire in the country of Ethiopia. Here are some of them one cannot afford to miss while on a vacation here.

Addis Ababa

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The capital city, besides being the financial hub of the country, also has many interesting places to visit. The national archaeological museum of great interest for the tourists as it is where the 3.5 million years old skeleton is kept. A road drive to Mount Entoto is an experience in itself since the view you have through eucalyptus forests is truly breathtaking. Markato, an open-market is one of the biggest in the continent.

Lake Tana

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A boat trip over this beautiful river takes you monasteries of medieval times. Some 40 km from here is the origin of Blue Nile.

Debere Damo

Debere Damo is reportedly the earliest monastery in the country. It was built in the early years of the 6^th century.

Semien Mountain

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Besides the picturesque view of the mountain, the landscape around it reflects an amazing beauty of nature. The vegetation around it just adds to the beauty of the place and makes it a treat for the eyes of the visitor.

Awash National Park

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Nestled between the lakes Abaya and Chamo, this national park boasts of an amazing number of species of birds and other creatures. It is a beautiful place to spend the day at and have fun with the family.

Adewa

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It used to be a battlefield earlier where many great wars have been fought. The most famous war was between the mighty Italians and Ethiopians. It is a remarkable sight and a place of great interest for foreign tourists.

Accommodation

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The tourism industry takes care of every type of tourists. All kinds of accommodation, from cheap hotels to luxury hotels are available. One can choose the one that suits his/her requirement. You can either book a hotel yourself or ask your travel agent to do it.

Conclusion

Ethiopia with its great diversified culture and rich history is a great place to go to on a vacation. The beauty and archaeological advancement at the place in ancient times will surely leave you mesmerized. There are a number of places you can visit here and you need to plan your trip so as to make the most of it. So either do a thorough research before you come here or hire a travel agent. It is of no doubt that a visit to this marvelous place will leave with memories to cheer for lifetime.