Facts about Ethiopia

Area: 435,200 square miles

History: Hamitic people migrated to Ethiopia from Asia Minor in prehistoric times. Semitic traders from Arabia penetrated the region in the 7th century B.C. It's Red Sea ports were important to the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Coptic Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia in 341 A.D., and a variant of it became Ethiopia's state religion. Ancient Ethiopia reached its peak in the 5th century, then was isolated by the rise of Islam and weaved by feudal wars.

Government: Federal Republic

Economy: Ethiopian economy is largely based on agriculture. Agriculture accounts for 46.6% of the GDP and 85% of the total employment. Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies.

Population: 94.1 million people

Currency: Ethiopian Birr

Religion: Ethiopian Orthodox

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