Addis Ababa
World’s third-highest capital city, at an altitude of 2400m, Addis Ababa, was founded by Emperor Menelik and named by his wise and courageous wife Empress Taituin the late 19th century. Addis Ababa is in Ethiopia at its most modern and cosmopolitan, as characterized by them relative glitz of Bole Road and the seedier Piazza district. The city forms a good starting point for exploring most aspects of Ethiopia, whether you fancy trawling the National Museum and various imperial-era landmarks in search of historical and cultural enlightenment, losing yourself in the maze-like commercial hubbub of the Mercato (reputedly, largest open market in Africa), or socialising in its ubiquitous coffee shops and bars whilst absorbing the wondrously discordant home-grown music that emanates from all directions. Addis Ababa, which could mean ‘New Flower’ in English, is often shortened to Plain ‘Addis’. The climate in this city is highly encouraging introduction to Ethiopia. Throughout the year, day and night, comfortable temperate weather is the city’s characteristic. Addis, with its sprawling and vibrant nature, is home both for 3 million inhabitants and the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. As a most attractive city, Addis Ababa has the position of both city and state. There are almost 80 nationalities speaking in various 80 languages. This is actually the grassland-biotic community. From the lowest area around the Bole International Airport amid the Southern edge to the Northern part of the city with more than 3,000 meters in the Entoto Mountains, Addis Ababa is in easy access to various parts of Ethiopia. The city lies at the foot of Mount Entoto, and is home to Addis Ababa University.
Few days of stay in this city, with all its diverse and complex nature, will give you a feeling of, if not exactly love, then certainly joy.For many foreigners what usually happens to be a surprise in their first arrival in Ethiopia arethe city’s Westernized facilities which instantly bounce against their wrong pre-conceptions that the whole nation is desert. In fact, it could be overwhelming on first exposure with cripples, beggars, amputee war veterans, pickpockets, hustlers and taxi drivers calling out for your attention all over the streets. However, this could only be part of your surprising trip to not only the city’s attractions but also to all parts of the nation. The National Museum inside the compound of Sidist Kilo University, preserves the monarchial grace of the last king of the Solomonic Dynasty – Emperor Hailesselassie the first. Walking in to the palace, you would feel like not visiting a once-upon-a-time palace but one from which the king went away for a short time visit to somewhere else for all the materials are kept well in order. Few kilometers from here the palace of Emperor Menelik who founded Addis, is also well preserved for anyone interested to see.