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Ethiopia | PLACE

 

Ethiopia (Ge'ez: ኢትዮጵያ ʾĪtyōṗṗyā), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country situated in the Horn of Africa (landlocked as of May 24, 1993). It is the third-most populous nation in Africa, bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the southeast, Kenya to the south, and Sudan to the west. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa with an unbroken sovereignty and is one of the oldest continuous nations in the world. Recently regarded as "the cradle of mankind", Ethiopia is also the second-oldest official [citation needed] Christian nation in the world, after Armenia. It has long been an intersection between the civilizations of North Africa, the Middle East and the rest of Africa. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia was never colonised, maintaining its sovereignty throughout the Scramble for Africa. In addition, Ethiopia has long been a member of international organisations: it became a member of the League of Nations in 1923, signed the Declaration by United Nations in 1942, founded the UN headquarters in Africa, was one of the fifty-one original members of the United Nations, and is the headquarters for and the main founder of the former Organisation of African Unity and current African Union.

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Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia  government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

(L-R) Spain's Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne, her compatriot Gelete Burka and Natalia Rodriguez compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

(L-R) Spain's Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne, her compatriot Gelete Burka and Natalia Rodriguez compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

AFP 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  Dejen Gebremeskel (C) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: Dejen Gebremeskel (C) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  Tariku Bekele (R) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: Tariku Bekele (R) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after winning the Women's 1500m final at the 13th IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after winning the Women's 1500m final at the 13th IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

AP 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne poses with her gold medal as she listens to her national anthem on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne poses with her gold medal as she listens to her national anthem on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  Natalia Rodriguez of Spain cross the finish line to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: Natalia Rodriguez of Spain cross the finish line to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  Natalia Rodriguez of Spain cross the finish line to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: Natalia Rodriguez of Spain cross the finish line to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne waves as shee poses with her gold medal on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne waves as shee poses with her gold medal on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne and Ethiopia's Gelete Burka pose respectively with their silver, gold and bronze medals on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne and Ethiopia's Gelete Burka pose respectively with their silver, gold and bronze medals on the podium for the medal ceremony of the women's 1500m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after winning the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after winning the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  (L-R) Natalia Rodriguez of Spain compete to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: (L-R) Natalia Rodriguez of Spain compete to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  (L-R) Natalia Rodriguez of Spain compete to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: (L-R) Natalia Rodriguez of Spain compete to win the silver medal, Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia the gold medal and Gelete Burka of Ethiopia the bronze medal the Womens 1500m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Gelete Burka and Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrate after finishing respectiveley second, third and first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Gelete Burka and Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrate after finishing respectiveley second, third and first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Gelete Burka and Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrate after finishing respectiveley second, third and first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

(FromL) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Gelete Burka and Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrate after finishing respectiveley second, third and first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after finishing first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after finishing first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

(L-R) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne and her compatriot Gelete Burka compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

(L-R) Spain's Natalia Rodriguez, Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne and her compatriot Gelete Burka compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

AFP 

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after finishing first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne celebrates after finishing first the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010.

AFP 

Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia  government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

(L-R) Spain's Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne, her compatriot Gelete Burka and Natalia Rodriguez compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

(L-R) Spain's Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne, her compatriot Gelete Burka and Natalia Rodriguez compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively.

AFP 

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14:  Dejen Gebremeskel (C) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 14: Dejen Gebremeskel (C) of Ethiopia competes in the Mens 3000m Final during Day 3 of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Aspire Dome on March 14, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Getty Images Europe 

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