Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, capital and largest city of Ethiopia, was the country's commercial, manufacturing, and cultural center. It is situated in central Ethiopia at an elevation of about 2440 m (about 8000 ft) above sea level. The modern city was founded in 1887 at the site of a hot springs by Emperor Menelik II and given the name Addis Ababa, Amharic for “new flower.” It became the national capital in 1889. Addis Ababa is an extensive city, well wooded, especially with eucalyptus trees, and crossed by broad avenues. Modern, multistoried buildings sit side by side with traditional one- and two-storied structures and open spaces.

Its high elevation gives the city a mild, pleasant climate.It is the seat of headquarters of the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the modern Africa Hall with its dramatic stained-glass windows which was painted by the Ethiopian artist Afework Tekele portray the history and diversity of Africa’s people, and the Menelik II Palace, as well as several museums with collections of art, ethnology, and archaeology.One of the most important museums is the smaller national museum holding the fossil of “LUCY” which is 3.5 millions years old remnant.