Government

• Population Characteristics
• Currency and Banking
• Transport and Communication

In 1989, the TIGRAYAN Peoples' Liberation Front (TPLF) merged with other ethnically-based opposition movements to form the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In May 1991, The former communist military regime lead by MENGISTU HAYLEMARIAM was overthrown. EPRDF forces advanced on Addis Ababa. MENGISTU fled the country to asylum in Zimbabwe, where he still resides.

Ethiopia is divided into nine regions composed of specific ethnic groups. The regions, which have a significant degree of autonomy, are TIGRAY; AFAR, AMHARA; OROMIYA; SOMALIA; BENSHANGUL-GUMZ; GAMBELA HARAR; and the SOUTHER Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, which comprises about 41 ethnic groups.

Population Characteristics

The population of Ethiopia (2006 estimate) is more than 75,000,000, yielding an overall density of 61 persons per sq km (157 per sq mi). The AMHARA, who founded the original nation, and the related TIGREANS, both of which are highland peoples of partly Semitic origin, constitute about 32 percent of the total population. They occupy the northwestern Ethiopian highlands and the area north of Addis Ababa. The OROMO, a pastoral and agricultural people who live mainly in central and southwestern Ethiopia, constitute about 40 percent of the population and are the largest ethnic group in Africa.

Currency and Banking

Ethiopia’s unit of currency, the BIRR, is issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia (8.77 birr equal U.S.$1; 2006 average). Other banks in the country include the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and the Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank and other private banks.

Transportation and Communications

The Ethiopian terrain makes land travel difficult. Because many areas are inaccessible by road and others are inadequately served by surface transportation, air transport is of great importance. A government-owned airline company, Ethiopian Airlines, handles both domestic and international air service. International airports serve Addis Ababa and Dirē Dawa. Now a days Most of the area has Accsus to get a telephone service and some big towns has internet.