Addis AbabaGeneral Information about Addis AbabaAddis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia and the African Union. Addis Ababa is a very multicultural country. There are over 80 different nationalities living there, with the same number of different languages spoken. There are also Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities within the city. Addis Ababa is located in the centre of Ethiopia at the base of Mount Entoto and is home to almost 4 million people.
Empress Taytu Betul chose the site of Addis Ababa and the city was officially founded by her husband Emperor Menelik II in 1886. In late November, 1974 the skeleton of AL 288-1, commonly known as Lucy was found here. Lucy is estimated to have lived more than 3.2 million years ago and is the oldest known ancestor to the human race. It has since been debated whether Addis Ababa is the origin of the human race.
Because of Lucy, one of the most popular attractions in Addis Ababa is the Ethiopian National Museum. Lucy's skeleton is preserved here and a plaster replica of her skeleton is on display as well as many other archaeological discoveries, fossils and other artefacts.
There are many other interesting sites in Addis Ababa such as St George's Cathedral founded in 1896 which also houses a museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral which is the most important place of worship in Addis Ababa. The Holy Trinity Cathedral is also the burial site of Emperor Haile Selassie and the Imperial Family. Also housed here is the tomb of left communist and Suffragist Sylvia Pankhurst. BACK TO TOP |
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