Addis Ababa (sometimes spelt Addis Abeba) is a diverse and
riotous capital city of nearly three million souls, with roughly 80
different nationalities, and a multitude of religious and language
groups making up its colourful population.
Nestled at the foot of Mount Entoto, the city was founded in the
late 1800s by Ethiopian emperor Menelik II and was later occupied
by the Italians during the second Italo-Abyssinian War. When
Ethiopians regained control, Emperor Haile Selassie immediately set
about rebuilding the capital and formed the Organisation of African
Unity, replaced by today's African Union, which has its
headquarters in the city.
Addis Ababa is also home to the world-renowned early hominid
Lucy - her fossilised skeleton, as well as a replica, are housed in
the Ethiopian National Museum. The city also boasts the largest
open market in Africa (in the Merkato district), several
interesting mosques and cathedrals, as well as the world's largest
prefabricated building, Shengo Hall, and Menelik's old Imperial
Palace, which is the official seat of the Ethiopian government.
Addis Ababa is an interesting mix of poverty and wealth,
urbanisation and nature (the city is surrounded by forests and
cultivated land). It is a dynamic capital, but has its fair share
of unemployment, petty crime and destitution. Addis Ababa, however,
is well worth exploring, as there are plenty of 'diamonds in the
rough' to be uncovered.
Getting around: There is a large and efficient network of blue and
white minibuses that cover the city which are easy to hail from the
side of the road. The cost ranges from 0.70 Br for short trips, to
1.55 Br or more for a longer trip. It is worth having an Ethiopian
guide with you if it is your first time using these taxis. Small
blue coloured taxis are more expensive. They range from 10 Br for a
very short journey, to about 35 Br for a cross-town trek.
Negotiation is the norm and you often have to press quite hard to
get a bargain as a foreigner. They can be contracted for a full
day, just negotiate. Walking is still the preferred and more
sensible method of transport around this city though beggars can be
bothersome. The road names are few and often don't match the ones
written on maps, so it is best to navigate by using landmarks. Car
hire can be organised through international agencies in Addis Ababa
and a full valid international licence is required and the licence
from country of origin must be endorsed locally. Drivers must be a
minimum of 18 years old. Churchill Avenue is the main thoroughfare
and shopping street in Addis Ababa. Vehicle travel outside the city
after dark can be risky. Autobus Terra, near Mercato, is where most
of the national buses arrive and depart and is the main bus
terminal. The only working railway line runs between Addis Ababa
and Djibouti, via Dire Dawa and Harar.






