Our journey brings us to Ethiopia, a rugged, landlocked country in the Horn of Africa with a history that stretches back millions of years. There are around 130 million people living here, and the capital is Addis Ababa, which serves as the diplomatic hub for the entire continent as the headquarters of the African Union. The official language is Amharic, though over 80 different languages are spoken across its diverse ethnic groups.

Ethiopia covers about 1,104,300 square kilometers (426,400 square miles). That’s roughly twice the size of the state of Texas in the U.S., or about the same size as Colombia in South America. It is often called the “Roof of Africa” because much of its land sits on a high plateau split by the Great Rift Valley.

The most popular sports are Long-distance Running, where Ethiopia is a global superpower, and Football. Their national animal is the Lion, specifically the Abyssinian Lion, which was a symbol of the monarchy for centuries.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and red with a blue circle and a golden star in the center, where the green represents the fertility of the land, the yellow stands for hope and justice, and the red symbolizes the sacrifice for freedom.

The food is unique, flavorful, and meant to be shared. You must try Injera, a large, sourdough flatbread that acts as both your plate and your fork. On top of it, you’ll find Doro Wat, a rich, spicy chicken stew made with a blend of spices called berbere. Ethiopia is also the birthplace of Coffee; a traditional coffee ceremony is a central part of social life and can last for hours!

Ethiopia is home to some of the most incredible archaeological finds on Earth, including “Lucy,” the 3.2-million-year-old fossil that changed our understanding of human evolution. It is one of the only African nations to have never been colonized, maintaining its independence throughout history. In the town of Lalibela, you can find 11 medieval churches literally carved out of solid volcanic rock from the ground down! Ethiopia also follows its own unique calendar, which is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, and they keep time differently, starting the day at sunrise rather than midnight. If you are feeling adventurous, you can visit the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth, filled with bubbling yellow sulfur springs and active volcanoes.

From the ancient obelisks of Aksum to the jagged peaks of the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia is a land of deep faith, ancient legends, and breathtaking landscapes. Ameseghinallehu! That means “Thank you!”