Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is Ethiopia's capital, the political capital of Africa, and one of the highest-elevation capitals in the world at 2,355 metres. Founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1886, it is host city of the African Union headquarters and a major diplomatic centre.
Highlights
- African Union headquarters and UN Economic Commission for Africa
- National Museum of Ethiopia (home of the Lucy fossil)
- Mercato — one of Africa's largest open-air markets
- Holy Trinity Cathedral and Entoto Mountain
History
Founded in 1886 by Empress Taytu and Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa became Ethiopia's capital and the only African capital never colonised (briefly occupied by Italy 1936-41). It became the de facto African capital with the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now AU) here in 1963.
Economy
Addis Ababa anchors Ethiopia's rapidly growing economy. Major sectors include manufacturing, construction, services and aviation (Ethiopian Airlines hub at Bole International). It has Africa's first urban light rail system (opened 2015).
Neighborhoods
Piazza is the historic Italian-influenced centre; Bole hosts the international airport and upscale shopping; Kazanchis is the diplomatic and UN district; Mercato is the vast trading quarter.
Distances from Addis Ababa
Calculate distance and flight time from Addis Ababa to other major African cities: