Ethiopia land

Land and People

Ethiopia falls into four main geographic regions from west to east—the Ethiopian Plateau, the Great Rift Valley, the Somali Plateau, and the Ogaden Plateau. The Ethiopian Plateau, which is fringed in the west by the Sudan lowlands (made up of savanna and forests), includes more than half the country. It is generally 5,000 to 6,000 ft (1,524–1,829 m) high but reaches much loftier heights, including Ras Dashen (15,158 ft/4,620 m), the highest point in Ethiopia. The plateau slopes gently from east to west and is cut by numerous deep valleys. The Blue Nile River (in Ethiopia called the Abbai or Abbay) flows through the center of the plateau from its source, Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake. The Great Rift Valley (which in its entirety runs from SW Asia to E central Africa) traverses the country from northeast to southwest and contains the Danakil Desert in the north and several large lakes in the south. The Somali Plateau is generally not as high as the Ethiopian Plateau, but in the Mendebo Mts. it attains heights of more than 14,000 ft (4,267 m). The Awash, Ethiopia's only navigable river, drains the central part of the plateau. The Ogaden Plateau (1,500–3,000 ft/457–914 m high) is mostly desert but includes the Webe Shebele, Genale (Jubba), and Dawa rivers.

Ethiopia's population is mainly rural, with most living in highlands above 5,900 ft (1,800 m). Almost half the people are Muslim, while over a third belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; about 15% practice traditional religions. There are a great number of distinct ethnic groups in Ethiopia. The Amhara and Tigrean, who together make up about 33% of the people, live mostly in the central and N Ethiopian Plateau; they are Christian and hold most of the higher positions in the government. The Oromo, who make up about 40% of the country's population, live in S Ethiopia and are predominantly Muslim. The pastoral Somali, who are also Muslim, live in E and SE Ethiopia. Until the 1980s a small group of Jews, known as Beta Israel or Falashas, lived north of Lake Tana in Gondar. In the midst of famine and political instability, 10,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted (1984–85) to Israel, and another 14,000 were airlifted out in 1991. By the end of 1999 virtually all the Falashas who were practicing Jews had had been flown to Israel.

Amharic is the country's official language, but a great many other languages are spoken, including Tigrinya, Oromo, Somali, and Arabic. A substantial number of Ethiopians speak English, which is commonly taught in school. Educational facilities in the nation are very limited, however, and in the late 1990s adult literacy was estimated at just over 35%.

(CNN) -- Brutal pictures of civil war and famine dominate world news about Ethiopia, a landlocked nation in Eastern Africa just west of Somalia.

But despite the serious economic and political problems that plague this nation, Ethiopia also has a rich history that predates the Old Testament.

The legacy of the Queen of Sheba lies just below the shifting sands, and churches hewn out of sheer rock attract wide-eyed tourists.

The African nation's historic route begins in the ancient city of Askum, which dates to about 100 B.C.

This capital city was the first place in Ethiopia to adopt a new religion -- Christianity.

According to the Old Testament, The Queen of Sheba was born in Askum, but traveled to Israel to meet King Solomon.

They had a son named Menelik, who later became the first emperor of Ethiopia.

"Menelik brought the original Arc of the Covenant back to Ethiopia from Israel," according to Daniel Tesfaye, an Ethiopian travel guide.

Today, the Arc, which once housed the Ten Commandments, remains well hidden in Askum. Locals say it is guarded by a select group of monks, whose sole commitment is to protect the sacred vessel.

Askum is also known for its massive, towering sculptures that are more than two thousand years old. Their significance is still under investigation by archeologists.

"(They) are still under study ... but they say it was a burial place for maybe one of the most important persons," said Tesfaye.

Today, Ethiopia's religious tradition is reflected in the day-to-day lifestyle of the people, and nowhere does this spiritual energy echo more than in the monolithic churches of Lalibela.

All 11 structures were carved from one rock in the 13th century, and are still open to the local people for religious ceremonies.

Considered the Eighth Wonder of the World, the churches were built by King Lalibela.

Legend has it that Lalibela was poisoned by his brother and fell into a three-day coma. While he was unconscious, it is said he was transported to heaven where God told him to return to Earth and build churches unlike any on the planet.

Lalibella constructed two types of churches: monolithic and rock-hewn.

Workers dug trenches around solid pieces of rock, and then carved monolithic churches out of the remaining rock.

Rock-hewn churches were carved directly into the mountain face.

The Jordan River divides the houses of worship that Lalibela built. The churches to the left symbolize earthly Jerusalem, while the churches on the right side of the river symbolize heavenly Jerusalem. The river itself is meant to symbolize the baptism of Christ.

A complex maze of tunnels with crypts, grottoes and galleries connects the churches on either side of the Jordan River.

This park is located 400 km south of Addis Ababa. It covers 2,400 square kilometers and contains a variety of endemic birds and animals. It contains the Sanetti Plateau, which is the highest moorland in Africa. Also, Tullu Demtu, Ethiopia's second highest mountain at 4,377m is located in the park. Visitors can arrange five-day treks on foot or mule at the park headquarters. There are also nature trails for visitors.