Addis Ababa - Common Questions and Short Answers

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Scene at the recycling section of Merkato market in Addis Ababa
Scene at Merkato (Addis Mercato) market in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa - Common Travellers' Questions and Short Answers

Frequently Asked Questions About Addis Ababa Visitors Ask, and Answers by Local Tourism Expert  

1. What does "Addis Ababa" mean?

 The Ethiopian Capital, "Addis Ababa" (read as "አዲስ አበባ" in the official language of Ethiopia - Amharic) means the New Flower, named after yellow daisy flower which grows in September/October in the Ethiopian Highlands. Locally the flower is known as "Adey Abeba" read as "አደይ አበባ". Addis Ababa got its name by its founder Emperor Menelik II who established Addis Ababa (Correctly spelled as "Addis Abeba") in 1887 G.C. Addis Ababa (Should be actually spelled as "Addis Abeba") is known as FINFINE by the local Oromo people. 

 2. What is Addis Ababa known for?

 - Addis Ababa is Africa's biggest diplomatic base
- Addis Ababa is the seat of the HQ of the African Union
- Addis Ababa is where Merkato market- the biggest outdoor market in Africa is found at
- Addis Ababa is also the seat of the Headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
- Addis Ababa is the highest capital city in Africa (with 3,200 meters above sea level) and the third highest in the world
- There are more than 110 embassies in Addis Ababa
- Addis Ababa is Ethiopia's biggest city with more than 7 million people
- Addis Ababa is a place where visitors can see Lucy - the oldest hominid  (3.18 million years old) 

 3. What to see in Addis Ababa?

 With a full-day or half day City Tour of Addis Ababa, you can visit the following must-see places in Addis Ababa:-

- The National Museum of Ethiopia (where the fossil remains of Lucy is kept in)
- Merkato market or Addis Mercato - the biggest outdoor market in Africa
Secondhand items at Merkato Market
- Mount Entoto to enjoy the panoramic view of Addis Ababa
- St. MARY'S church and Emperor Menelik II palace at Mount Entoto 
- Saint Raguel (Elias) church at Mount Entoto which is the oldest in the city (140 years old) and famous for its beautiful hand painted wall paintings which are as old as the church
- The Ethnographic Museum of Addis Ababa which was the residence of Emperor Haile Sillassie I
- St. George Cathedral - one of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity churches in Addis Ababa 
- Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum 
- The Holy Trinity Cathedral - where Emperor Haile Sillassie I is buried at
- Meskel Square - the central and biggest square in Addis Ababa
- Zoma Museum is unique for personalized artistic wall arts made of mud
- Entoto Park - is newly opened park on Mount Entoto. It has a nice platform to enjoy the superb views of Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa's well known food and beverage companies have their outlets at Entoto Park.

Please, see more details of What to do and visit in Addis Ababa.

 4. Where to taste Ethiopian food
- Yod Abyssinia Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant
- Desalech Kitfo 
- 2000 Habesha Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant

 5. What to buy from Addis Ababa?
- Locally made good quality leather bags, jackets, belts from around the National Stadium or Piazza area
- Different flavors of Ethiopian Organic Coffee from Tomoca Coffee Shops
- Beautiful hand woven cotton clothes from Shiro Meda local market
- Ethiopian spices from Merkato
- Colorful hand woven baskets from Churchill Street or Merkato market 
- Varieties of small gift items from Shiro Meda local market 

6. What is the population of Addis Ababa? 
About 7 million people live in Addis Ababa

7. What is the main language spoken in Addis Ababa
Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia) is the common language spoken in Addis Ababa. English is also widely used by Addis Ababans.

 How to experience (visit) Addis Ababa? Please, click for customised experiential insightful City Tour of Addis Ababa by informative local tour guide. 

Recent update - Online LIVE Tour of Addis Ababa is organized by Merit Ethiopian Experience Tours (run by Muluken Girma).
Contact me soon for your personalized tour of Addis Ababa and around

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