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Geography
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is situated 7,724 feet (2,354 meters)
above sea level, at Latitude 08 deg. 59 min. North of the Equator
and Longitude 038 deg. 48 min. East of Greenwich.
Ethiopia
is a landlocked country located on the eastern side of the continent,
the Horn of Africa. To its west is Sudan, to the north Eritrea,
to the east the tiny country of Djibouti and Somalia, which also
stretches around the southern border, and to the south Kenya.
Ethiopia
covers about 439,530 sq miles (1,127,000 sq km), and is roughly
twice the size of Texas. Population is around 65 million, with 4
million living in Addis Ababa. The country is dominated by a high
central plateau, cut by deep gorges including the Great Rift Valley,
and Addis Ababa sits on this central plateau.
Climate
Despite being located fairly close to the Equator, Addis Ababa's
elevation tends to moderate local temperatures. Daytime high temperatures
in September average around 66° (19 C), with nighttime lows
ranging around 55° (13 C).
September
is a fairly wet month for Addis Ababa, with average rainfall registering
about 7.3 inches (18 cm).
What
To Wear
It is best to remember that Ethiopian are fairly conservative in
their dress, with suits and ties being standard in offices. In Addis
Ababa, light or medium weight clothing is appropriate. A light rain
coat and umbrella should be carried as well, along with a sweater
for chilly evenings.
The
sun can be very strong in Ethiopia. A strong sunscreen is important,
especially for anyone who experiences problems with sun exposure
in North America.
Travel
Documents and Entry Requirements
For US and Canadian citizens, a valid passport is required to
enter Ethiopia.
As
of January 2002, citizens of the United States may obtain their
visitor's visas upon arrival in Ethiopia. This service is only available
at Bole International Airport, Ethiopia's main airport, in Addis
Ababa. The fee of 315 birr (approximately $40 US) is payable only
in Ethiopian currency. Travelers may exchange currency upon arrival.
However,
to avoid possible confusion or delays, US travelers are still advised
to obtain a valid Ethiopian visa prior to arrival in Ethiopia.
An
exit visa is required if your entry visa has expired by the time
of departure. In such circumstances, an exit visa can only be obtained
at the main immigration office in Addis Ababa, and not at Bole International
Airport.
Prior
to travel, individuals intending prolonged stays should direct their
questions to the Ethiopian
Embassy, 3506 International Dr., N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008; telephone (202) 364-1200; fax (202) 686-9857. Inquiries overseas
may be made at the nearest Ethiopian embassy or consulate.
Dual
Nationality:
Ethiopia does not recognize dual nationality. The Government of
Ethiopia considers Ethiopians who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
to be Americans. Such individuals are not subject to Ethiopian military
service, as is sometimes the case in other countries. The Ethiopian
Foreign Ministry has stated that Ethiopian-Americans are given the
same opportunity to invest in Ethiopia as Ethiopians.
Eritrean-Americans
are treated as U.S. citizens, although the Government of Ethiopia
has arrested people of Eritrean origin who initially failed to disclose
their U.S. citizenship.
Medical
Issues
All visitors must be in possession of valid vaccination certificates
against yellow fever. Vaccinations against hepatitis and cholera
are also recommended.
If
you will be visiting visiting the lowlands beyond the central plateau
where Addis Ababa is located, malaria precautions should be taken.
Consult your physician for details.
Visitors
should bring sufficient supplies of any drugs that they need regularly,
and carry proof of prescription for such medications. Both doctors
and dentists are readily available in Addis Ababa, and generally
available throughout most of Ethiopia. The major hospitals are located
in the larger towns only.
Customs
Issues
Personal effects are admitted free, and a duty-free allowance of
1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and ½ liter of perfume
is permitted.
Cameras,
computers (including laptops) and major electrical items should
be declared on arrival and departure. Tape recorders and video cameras
require special customs permits.
Visitors
may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500 (about
$60 US), although some articles (such as animal skins and antiques)
require an export permit.
Currency
Issues
Although visitors can import an unlimited amount of currency
into Ethiopia, all foreign currency must be declared upon arrival,
and you may be required to present this declaration when applying
for an exit visa.
Official
and black market exchange rates are nearly the same. Penalties for
exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment.
Credit
cards are not accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, or other
local facilities, although they are accepted at the Hilton and Sheraton
Hotels in Addis Ababa. Foreigners are generally required to pay
for hotel and car rentals in foreign currency.
Photography
Warning
Ethiopian law strictly prohibits the photographing of military installations,
police/military personnel, industrial facilities, government buildings
and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, airfields, etc.). Such
sites are rarely marked clearly. Photographing prohibited sites
may result in the confiscation of film and camera. Always
ask travel guides, police, or Ethiopian officials if a particular
site may be photographed BEFORE you attempt to take any pictures.
Before
photographing any person, religious festival or rural homestead
it is courteous to ask permission.
Airport
Tax
There
is an airport tax of US$10 for all international departures, and
5 Birr for all domestic flights.
Communications
Telephone, telex, postal and fax facilities are available in Addis
Ababa and most main towns. The IDD code for Ethiopia is +251. Internet
access is available from Ethiopian Telecom.
Time
The entire nation of Ethiopia is 3 hours ahead of GMT/UTC. Ethiopia
does NOT observe daylight savings time.
During
September, when it is 12 Noon in Addis Ababa, it is 5:00 AM in New
York, 4:00 AM in Houston, and 2:00 AM in Los Angeles. When it is
9 AM in New York (8 AM in Houston, and 6 AM in Los Angeles), it
is 4:00 PM in Ethiopia.
NOTE:
Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months
of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days. Although
international businessmen in Ethiopia will also follow the Gregorian
calendar used in Europe and North America, be sure to verify whether
any future date given to you while in Ethiopia is according to the
Julian or Gregorian calendars.
(Incidentally,
2002 is the year 1995 by the Julian calendar of Ethiopia, and September
11th is Ethiopian New Year's Day, which is a major national holiday.)
Electricity
220V or 240V at 50 Hz AC - which is different from the US standard
of 110V at 60 Hz AC.
Weights
and Measures
Ethiopia uses the Metric System.
Languages
Spoken
Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages
spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects.
The main three languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna. Amharic
is the official language of government.
English
is also widely spoken, especially among internationally oriented
merchants and businessmen. Avoid using American slang or jargon,
especially US sports and military terminology (e.g., "we should
drop back and punt", "we have been on the front lines
of that market for years"), when speaking to Ethiopians, because
they may not understand what you are trying to say and may even
take offense in some cases. Instead, stick to conventional English
words and phrases, unless the listener has made it clear they understand
US English exceedingly well.
Tipping
Tips are expected and appreciated. Generally, 10% is considered
acceptable.
Courtesies
and Gestures
Recognition of traditional courtesies is important when visiting
Ethiopia. While
Ethiopians are well aware of the forms of courtesy used in other
countries, they tend to be conservative at home.
A handshake
greeting is normal upon meeting a person and when departing in business
situations. A pleasant discussion on personal matters is considered
polite before getting down to business. Inquiries about the state
of one's health, family and children are common. The offer of tea
or coffee is normal.
In
Ethiopia, time is not considered to be as important as it is in
North America. It is best to let the Ethiopian host set the pace
in meetings or appointments. Regardless, prior appointments and
punctuality are advisable.
Smoking
is not popular amongst traditional people, or in front of priests,
and should be avoided.
Avoid
using your left hand when eating or making gestures, because Muslims
(who make up a significant portion of Ethiopia's population) consider
the left hand to be unclean.
Avoid
using the "OK" sign as it is used in North America. It
can mean "homosexual" in Ethiopia. (It also means "money"
in Japan, "sex" in Mexico, and in Brazil is used in place
of the middle finger as a gesture of contempt and obscenity.)
Avoid
using the forefinger in what in North America means "come here".
It may be considered condescending and rude.
Shoes
are often taken off when entering churches, and always always taken
off when entering mosques.
Favorable
topics of conversation, outside of business discussions, include
positive remarks about Ethiopian culture (you can always ask about
Ethiopia's use of the Julian Calendar, or about the ancient city
of Axum), the country's ancient history ("Lucy", the world's
oldest known human archeological remains at 4 million years old,
were found in Ethiopia's Rift Valley), and Ethiopia's more recent
achievements and plans for future development (just ask about them).
Subjects
perhaps best avoided in conversation include Ethiopia's recent conflict
with Eritrea, the former Mengistu government and the famines of
the 1980s. As always, be cautious when undertaking discussion of
domestic politics and religion; religion is an especially important
topic to Ethiopians, and negative views on matters of faith will
not be appreciated.
US
Embassy
The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in
Addis Ababa. Telephone: [251] (1) 550-666, extension 316/336; emergency
after-hours telephone: [251] (1) 552-558; Consular Section fax:
[251] (1) 551-094; Website: http://www.telecom.net.et/~usemb-et.
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