Addis Ababa

Since its formal establishment in the 19th century, Addis Ababa has always seemed a very special town. It has the status of both city and a state, and has to more than 3.5 million habitants. While it is the capital of Ethiopia, it also hosts the headquarters of the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and numerous other continental and international organizations; Addis Ababa is, therefore, often referred to as “the political capital of Africa” due to its historical, diplomatic and political significance for the continent.

Located at an elevation of 2,300 metres, Addis Ababa is also an important cultural town with notable buildings including St George’s Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Menelik’s old Imperial palace (which remains the official seat of government), and numerous museums and theatres. In addition to all that, Addis is the best place in the country to sample Ethiopian food.