Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa with Addis Ababa as its capital and largest city.
Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa and one of the continent’s oldest independent states. Its capital, Addis Ababa, is a major political and diplomatic hub.
What it is
Ethiopia is a federal parliamentary republic covering about 1,104,300 km². With an estimated 138 million people (2026), it is the most populous landlocked country in the world. Its official language is Amharic, and the currency is the Ethiopian birr.
Key details
The country avoided long-term colonial rule, aside from a brief Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Addis Ababa serves as both the capital and largest city, hosting national institutions and the African Union headquarters.
Why it matters to Canada
Ethiopia is relevant to Canadian readers through immigration, development cooperation, and humanitarian response. Canada maintains diplomatic and trade ties with this major African state, and Addis Ababa is a key diplomatic centre.
In short
- Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country and the most populous landlocked nation globally.
- It is a federal parliamentary republic with Addis Ababa as its capital.
- The country was occupied by Italy from 1936 to 1941 but otherwise remained independent.
- Canada has diplomatic, trade, and humanitarian links with Ethiopia.
Ethiopia matters to Canadian readers through immigration, development cooperation, humanitarian response, and Canada’s diplomatic and trade relations with a major African state and African Union host city in Addis Ababa.
Quick questions
What is Ethiopia’s capital?
Is Ethiopia landlocked?
What type of government does Ethiopia have?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EthiopiaSupports: Area, capital, population estimate, and landlocked status.
- CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/ethiopia/summariesSupports: Government type, leadership, and historical note on Italian occupation.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349398Supports: Country profile, capital, area, population, languages, and historical overview.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/EthiopiaSupports: Landlocked status, Horn of Africa location, and capital.
- CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/countries/ethiopiaSupports: Official name, former names, and etymology.
- Embassy of Ethiopia — https://ethiopianembassy.org/overview-about-ethiopia/Supports: Administrative structure and regional states.