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Addis Ababa | History, Population, Map, & Facts | Britannica

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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-11T00:00:00CST" >Nov 11, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Addis-Ababa/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also spelled: </dt> <dd>Addis Abeba</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show&nbsp;more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Addis-Ababa"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">&#8226;</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001506055/raila-formally-kicks-off-auc-chair-campaign-in-addis-ababa" rel="nofollow">Raila formally kicks off AUC chair campaign in Addis Ababa</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>&#8226;</span> Nov. 8, 2024, 6:48 AM ET (The Standard) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/raila-odinga-to-launch-auc-bid-in-addis-ababa-4813526" rel="nofollow">Raila Odinga to launch AUC bid in Addis Ababa</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>&#8226;</span> Nov. 6, 2024, 5:40 AM ET (Nation.Africa) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><!--[BEFORE-ARTICLE]--><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><!--[PREMOD1]--><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref108049"></span>Addis Ababa</strong>, capital and largest city of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ethiopia</a>. It is located on a well-watered plateau surrounded by hills and mountains in the geographic centre of the country.</p><!--[MOD1]--><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD2]--><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Only since the late 19th century has Addis Ababa been the capital of the Ethiopian state. Its immediate predecessor, <span id="ref108050"></span>Entoto, was situated on a high <span id="ref1276347"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/tableland" class="md-crosslink ">tableland</a> and was found to be unsatisfactory because of extreme cold and an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="acute" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute" data-type="MW">acute</a> shortage of firewood. The empress <span id="ref108051"></span>Taitu, wife of Emperor <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Menilek-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Menilek II</a> (reigned 1889–1913), persuaded the emperor to build a house near the hot springs at the foot of the tableland and to grant land in the area to members of the nobility. The city was thus founded in 1887 and was named Addis Ababa (“New Flower”) by the empress.</p><!--[MOD2]--><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD3]--><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In its first years the city was more like a military encampment than a town. The central focus was the emperor’s palace, which was surrounded by the dwellings of his troops and of his innumerable retainers. As the population increased, firewood became scarce. In 1905 a large number of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/Eucalyptus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">eucalyptus</a> trees were imported from Australia; the trees spread and provided a forest cover for the city.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/50-capital-cities-at-random-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/91497-131-C397C5DB/Kentucky-Capitol-Frankfort.jpg" alt="Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort; photo dated 2015. (state capitols)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">50 Capital Cities at Random Quiz</div> </div> </a><!--[MOD3]--><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD4]--><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="281392" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/241308-050-636396E0/Locator-map-Addis-Ababa.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/5412/281392"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/241308-050-636396E0/Locator-map-Addis-Ababa.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/241308-050-636396E0/Locator-map-Addis-Ababa.jpg?w=300" alt="Addis Ababa, Ethiopia" data-width="2000" data-height="2000" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/241308-050-636396E0/Locator-map-Addis-Ababa.jpg" data-href="/media/1/5412/281392">Addis Ababa, Ethiopia</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Addis Ababa was the capital of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italian-East-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italian East Africa</a> from 1936 to 1941. Modern stone houses were built during this period, particularly in the areas of European residence, and many roads were paved. Other <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="innovations" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovations" data-type="MW">innovations</a> included the establishment of a water reservoir at Gefarsa to the west and the building of a hydroelectric station at Akaki to the south. There were only limited changes in Addis Ababa between 1941 and 1960, but development has been impressive since then.</p><!--[MOD4]--><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD5]--><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="259226" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/194872-050-613B28D0/New-African-Union-Commission-headquarters-building-Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/5412/259226"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/194872-050-613B28D0/New-African-Union-Commission-headquarters-building-Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/194872-050-613B28D0/New-African-Union-Commission-headquarters-building-Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia.jpg?w=300" alt="Addis Ababa: African Union headquarters" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/194872-050-613B28D0/New-African-Union-Commission-headquarters-building-Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia.jpg" data-href="/media/1/5412/259226">Addis Ababa: African Union headquarters</a><span>Headquarters of the African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Addis Ababa is the educational and administrative centre of Ethiopia. It is the site of <span id="ref1297412"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Addis-Ababa-University" class="md-crosslink ">Addis Ababa University</a> (1950) and contains several teacher-training colleges and technical schools. Also located in the city are the Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies and the Yared School of Music, both of which are operated by the university; the National Library and Archives; palaces of former emperors; and government ministries. Several international organizations have their headquarters in the city, notably the <span id="ref1297413"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/African-Union" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">African Union</a> and the United Nations Economic <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="Commission" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/Commission" data-type="EB">Commission</a> for Africa, the latter of which is located in Africa Hall.</p><!--[MOD5]--><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD6]--><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Addis Ababa’s manufactures include textiles, shoes, food, beverages, wood products, plastics, and chemical products. Most of Ethiopia’s service industries are also located in the city. Banking and insurance services are concentrated in Addis Ababa, and the nation’s major newspapers are published there.</p><!--[MOD6]--><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD7]--><span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="259227" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/194871-050-6045B30A/downtown-streets-Addis-Ababa-capitol-Ethiopia-2013.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/5412/259227"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/194871-050-6045B30A/downtown-streets-Addis-Ababa-capitol-Ethiopia-2013.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/194871-050-6045B30A/downtown-streets-Addis-Ababa-capitol-Ethiopia-2013.jpg?w=300" alt="Addis Ababa" data-width="1600" data-height="997" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/194871-050-6045B30A/downtown-streets-Addis-Ababa-capitol-Ethiopia-2013.jpg" data-href="/media/1/5412/259227">Addis Ababa</a><span>Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The bulk of the export and import trade of Ethiopia is channeled through Addis Ababa on its way to or from the ports of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Djibouti" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Djibouti</a>, on the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Aden" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gulf of Aden</a>, or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Asseb" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Asseb</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Eritrea" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Eritrea</a>, on the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Red-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Red Sea</a>. The city is also the collection and distribution centre for much of the country’s internal trade. The Mercato, located in the western part of the city, is one of the largest open-air markets in Africa. The Piazza in the central city and Bole Road to the southeast feature more expensive European-style shopping centres.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><!--[MOD7]--><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD8]--><span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Addis Ababa is the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="hub" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/hub" data-type="EB">hub</a> of the nation’s transportation network. Several roads connect it to other major cities; the only railway runs to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Djibouti-capital" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Djibouti</a>. The city is served by an international airport.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><!--[MOD8]--><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span><!--[PREMOD9]--><span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Formally designated recreational areas are limited, but there are many open spaces suitable for recreational purposes. A small zoo is located in a park near the university, and the lake region, which is a short drive to the south, has facilities for boating, waterskiing, bathing, and bird-watching. The most popular spectator sport is football (soccer). Basketball, volleyball, and other sports are also played, chiefly by school teams. Pop. (1994) 2,112,737; (2007) 2,739,551.</p><!--[MOD9]--><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Amy-Tikkanen/6393">Amy Tikkanen</a>.</span><!--[END-OF-CONTENT]--><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><!--[AFTER-ARTICLE]--><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script> <!-- Ortto ebmwprod capture code --> <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":5412,"pageLength":602,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"C","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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