Ethiopia is truly a land of contrasts and extremes; a land of remote and wild places. Some of the highest and most stunning places on the African continent are found here, such as the jaggedly carved Simien Mountains, one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites - and some of the lowest, such as the hot but fascinating Danakil Depression, with its sulphur fumaroles and lunar-like landscape. Ethiopia is old; old beyond all imaginations. As Abyssinia, its culture and traditions date back over 3,000 years. And far earlier than that lived "Lucy" or Dinkenesh, meaning 'thou art wonderful', as she is known to the Ethiopians, whose remains were found in a corner of this country of mystery and contrasts.

Many people visit Ethiopia - or hope to do so one day - because of the remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been preserved. And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament. In no other country is it possible to find yourself so dramatically transported back in time or to participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an archaic faith.

Ethiopia is one of the few countries that retains its own distinct calendar - a quirky calendar in which the year is divided into 13 months - 12 months with 30 days each and a 13th month Pagumé with five or six days depending on if it is a leap year or not. A second unique feature of the Ethiopian .....

Meskel is celebrated on the 27th of September among the faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The largest venue for the celebration is Meskel Square in Addis Ababa where a huge bonfire is lit accompanied by colourful religious processions by priests, deacons and choir boys and girls of Sunday schools. ......

The Hamer tribe is a pastoral tribe living in southwestern Ethiopia near the Kenyan border in the Southern Omo Zone and is one of the last remaining remote spots on the planet untouched by modern life. They are popular among tourists but have fascinated anthropologists for decades ......

One of the ancient cities in Ethiopia that had influenced the later development of the modern Ethiopia is the city of Axum. Located 1,100 kilometers from Addis Ababa, Axum was once the seat of the Axumite Empire whose influence spread beyond the Red Sea and Yemen and its trade had even .......

Located in the north of Ethiopia some 563 kilometers from Addis Ababa, Lake Tana [pronounced T’ana in Amharic] is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is the source of the Blue Nile. The lake is also home to 37 islands which house 20 churches and monasteries, some of which .......