Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. The city’s name, which means “new flower” in Amharic, was bestowed by Emperor MINILIK II when it was founded in 1887 at a hot springs. Addis Ababa has since blossomed into the economic and cultural center of Ethiopia. Despite its proximity to the equator, it’s lofty altitude –the third-highest capital in the world-means that it a mild, Afro-alpine climate. Since late 1950s Addis Ababa was recognized as the unofficial capital of Africa, and thus was made the head quarters of the United Nations economic commission for Africa (ECA) in 1958 and Later, in 1963, chosen as headquarters of African union (AU).     

At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,000 to 10,000 ft), maximum temperature is 26 °C (80 °F) and minimum 4 °C (40 °F). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (BELG) rains occur from February to April and the big (MEHER) rains from mid-June to mid-September.

There are money attractions in the city, such us National museum, where 3.2 million years old Lucy is kept fully preserved; an exact plaster replica is also displayed next to her, the Ethnological museum, one of the most magnificent churches in Addis Ababa the trinity cathedral, the largest open market in Africa and more… .