Cities and Towns
Addis Ababa, the largest city, is the seat of the Federal Government of Ethiopia, and lies in the central
plateau at an altitude of 2,400 meters, 9o north of the equator.
Its average temperature is 16oc.
Young as cities go, Addis Ababa was founded in 1887, and has a population of about 3 million. It is host to the
Organization of African Unity (OAU), and the
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Several other international organizations have their headquarters and branch offices in the capital, which is
also
the center of commerce and industry. Manufacturing plants for steel fabrication, wool, tanneries, textiles, cement, tyres, leather goods and breweries are among
the activities located in and around Addis Ababa.
Entertainment and sports facilities abound. Resort centers with hot springs and lakes: Sodere, Langano, Awassa, Wodo Genet, etc., as well as national parks, easily
accessible by road, lie to the south of the city.
Ethiopia's other important centers of trade and industry are: Awassa, Dire Dawa, Gondar, Dessie, Nazareth, Jimma, Harar, Bahir Dar, Mekele, Debre Markos and
Nekemte. All these towns are connected to Addis
Ababa by asphalt and gravel roads, and most of them have good infrastructural facilities, such as first class hotels
and airports. |
