

BAHIRDAR ATTRACTIONS
The literal meaning of the Amharic term Bahir Dar is "Sea Shore." Hence, Bahir Dar is a city in north western Ethiopia, which is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile (Abay) and where local fishermen still use papyrus boats. The city is located approximately 310 km north-northwest of Addis Ababa, having a latitude and longitude of 11°36'N 37°23'E and an elevation of 1700m above sea level. It is on the north central plateau of Amhara in the Ethiopian highlands, near Gonder. It has an estimated area of 28 square kilometers and an estimated population density of 5,973.60 people per square kilometer (CSA, 2005).
Bahir Dar city is distinctly known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees and a variety of beautiful and colorful flowers. In addition, the variety of attractions in the nearby Lake Tana and Blue Nile river, makes Bahir Dar one of the leading tourist destinations. Furthermore, the city is considered as one of the most beautiful, well planned, and safest cities by many standards. As a result, Bahir Dar city was awarded UNESCO cities for Peace Prize. Bahir Dar city is is equipped with an airport with paved runways. Ethiopian Airlines operates scheduled flights between Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa as well as with Gondar to the northwest. In addition, the city is connected through roads to these cities. Though cycling is the most common and convenient way of traveling within Bahir Dar city, intercity buses and taxis provide efficient transportation in the city. |
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LAKE T'ANA:The largest in the country, covering 2,156 sq km (832 sq mi), is located 1,830 m (6,000 ft) above sea level. About 85 km (about 53 mi) long and 65 km (41 mi) wide, the lake reaches a depth of about 15 m (about 50 ft). About 50 streams, the largest of which is the Little Abbai, or Upper Nile, flow into the lake. The outlet of Lake T'ana, at its southeastern corner, forms a bay about 17 km (about 11 mi) long and 12 km (8 mi) wide. From this bay issues the Abbai, or Blue Nile. Blue Nile (Abay) river in northeastern Africa, 1,370 km (850 mi) long. It rises at an altitude of 1,830 m (6,000 ft) in the region of Lake T'ana, in northwestern Ethiopia, flows south and then west in Ethiopia, and follows a northwestern course in Sudan before merging, at Khartoum, with the White Nile to form the Nile proper. |
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The Blue Nile, which contributes about two-thirds of the water of the Nile, is known as the Abbai in Ethiopia, where it, in part, flows through a deep gorge.
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GONDAR ATTRACTIONS
Gondar was founded in 1636 by Ethiopian emperor Fasiladas and became the country's first permanent capital. It served as the capital city until Tewodros's time, mid-nineteenth century. The city's unique Imperial compound contains a number of Castles built between 1632 and 1855 by various Emperors who reigned during this period. These dramatic Castles, unlike any other in Africa, display richness in architecture that reveals the Axumite traditions as well as the influence of Arabia. | ![]() |
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The most famous buildings in the city lie in the 17 the century Royal Enclosure, including Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches. Near the city lie Fasiladas' Bath, home to an annual ceremony where it is blessed and then opened for bathing; the Qusquam complex, built by Empress Mentewab; the eighteenth century Ras Mikael Sehul's Palace and the Debre Berhan Selassie Church. | |||||
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Until the 16th century, the Emperors of Ethiopia usually had no fixed capital, instead living in tents in temporary royal camps as they moved around their realms while their family, bodyguard and retinue devoured surplus crops and cut down nearby trees for firewood. Being close to supplies of firewood was one of the main reasons for moving place to place. | |||||
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AXUM ATTRACTIONS
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Legend and history portray Ethiopia as the only country in the world where the three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have very early roots. As indicated in the Kebra Negast, romantic and inspiring story, the Queen of Sheba (Makda, as she is known in Ethiopia) traveled to the court of Solomon, having been persuaded to visit the King who had a reputation of great wisdom and might. When she arrived in Jerusalem a banquet of specially seasoned meat was given in her honor and, at the end of the evening, Solomon invited her to spend the night in his chambers. Makeda agreed but first extracted a commitment from the King that he would not take her by force. To this he assented, on the single condition that the Queen makes a promise not to take anything in his house. Solomon then mounted his bed on one side of the chamber and had the Queen's bed prepared at the other side, placing near it a bowl of water. Made thirsty by the seasoned food she had consumed, Makeda soon awoke, arose, and drank the water. At this point Solomon seized her hand, accused her of having broken her oath and then worked his will with her. | ||||||
According to the story, that night the King dreamt that a great light of brilliance, the shekina, the divine presence, had left Israel and moved to Ethiopia. Shortly afterwards the Queen departed and returned to her country and there, nine months and five days later, she gave birth to a son Menelik, the founder of the Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty. When the boy had grown up he went to visit his father who received him with great honor and splendor. After some time at Solomon's court, the youth determined to return once more to his mother's realm. |
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Thereupon the King assembled the elders of Israel and commanded them to send their first-born sons with Menelik. Before the young men departed they abducted the Ark of the Covenant and took it with them to Ethiopia, which now became the second Zion. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum houses the Biblical Ark of the Covenant in which lies the Tablets of Law upon which the Ten Commandments are inscribed. This same church was the site Ethiopian emperors were crowned for centuries until the reign of Fasilides, then again beginning with Yohannes IV until the end of the empire. Axum is considered to be the holiest city in Ethiopia and is an important destination of pilgrimages. Significant religious festivals are the T'imk'et Festival, known as the Epiphany in western Christianity, on 7 January and the Festival of Maryam Zion in late November. |
LALIBELA ATTRACTIONS
Lalibela is a small town in the centre of what is administratively known as the Amhara division, Ethiopia. The latest census puts its population at 14,668with 7049 males and 7619 females. It has grown immensely since the previous census was published in 1994-which had put the total population at 8484. Lalibela has a latitude and longitude of 12.04° N 39.04° E. The name Lalibela derived from King Lalibela of the Zagew dynasty which ruled Ethiopia from the late12th to the 13th century. |
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HARRAR ATTRACTIONS
Harar is a historic old city in the Eastern part of Ethiopia which was founded in 1520 by Sultan Abu Baker Mohammed. It is considered the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The city has ninety-nine mosques, which is considered the highest concentration of Mosques in theworld. Among the things for which the city has a reputation are the excellent handicraft skills which produce superb woven textiles, basket ware and silverware. It is a centre of Islamic learning and reputed for its superbly bound books. | |
The city also has a well-deserved reputation for turmoil and bloodshed. Ahmed Gragn,
who would later gain notoriety by almost destroying Christianity in Ethiopia, started his
military rise by first killing Sultan Abu Baker Mohammed of Harar. He launched an
almost successful Jihad against the Christian Empire in 1528 and almost achieved
the destruction of Ethiopian Christendom. He would finally be killed by Emperor
Galawdewos near lake Tana in 1543. Galawdewos would himself later be killed
when trying to subdue Harar, and his head was paraded around the city on a stake. 1647 control of the city was taken over by Emir Ali ibn Daud and the city grew as an important trading point, and as a centre of Muslim scholarship. Fighting with the surrounding Oromo tribes also continued. |
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In 1875, Harar was occupied by Egypt after almost 250 years of autonomous existence. Their killing of the Emir led to a protracted resistance and their rule ended in 1885 with Emir Abdullahi in control. Soon after, in 1887, Harar lost autonomy to Menelik, the prince of Shoa. Menelik had understood the threat of the colonial powers, and was doing his utmost to save the independence of the region by fighting the warring dukes in the north and by forestalling the colonial powers in every direction. Menelik established a new administration in Harar which included several members of the Emir's family and was headed by his cousin, Ras Mekonnen -the father of Haile-Selassie. |
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Harar lost its position as a trading centre in the early twentieth century when the
railway line was opened linking Djibouti and Addis Ababa. Harar still remains
important as the spiritual city of Ethiopian Muslims, and was made a federal
city-state in 1995. The Hyena man:One of Harrar's main attractions is the hyena man who feeds hyenas on the outskirts of the town every night. As evening falls, local men attract wild hyenas to the city in a bizarre spectacle as they bravely feed these dangerous scavengers. |
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