| Addis Ababa አዲስ አበባ | ||
 | ||
| State | Ethiopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 2,355 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 2,360 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 3.041.000 (2012) | |
| Prefix tel | 251 | |
| Time zone | UTC 3 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Addis Ababa is the capital ofEthiopia.
To know
Geographical notes
The city is located at the foot of Mount Entoto, at an average altitude of 2,350 m a.s.l.
- Anthropogenic geography
According to 2007 census data compiled by the Ethiopian Statistical Institute, Addis Ababa has a total population of 2,739,551. For the capital there were 662,728 families living in 628,984 housing units, which translates into an average of 5.3 people per household. All Ethiopian ethnic groups are represented in Addis Ababa, the largest groups include the Amhara (47.0%), the Oromo (19.5%), the Gurage (16.3%), the Tigrayan (6.18%) ), Limo 'e (2.94%) and Gamo (1.68%).
Languages spoken as native languages include Amharic (71.0%), Afaan oromo (10.7%), Gurage (8.37%), Tigrinya (3.60%), Silt'e (1.82%) and the gamo (1.03%).
The religion with the highest number of believers in Addis Ababa is the Ethiopian Orthodox with 74.7% of the population, while 16.2% is Muslim, 7.77% Protestant and 0.48% Catholic.
When to go
The average temperature in Addis Ababa is around 15 ° C in December and around 18 ° C in May. July and August, the months of heavy rains, have average temperatures around 15-16 degrees. The lowest lows (5-6 ° C) occur in November and December. this climate is dictated above all by the height of the city which has rainfall in the rainy season, especially in July and August.
Background
Addis Ababa, was founded in 1886 by Menelik II, then ruler of the kingdom of Scioa. Menelik's previous residence, Entoto, was located on the mountain just north of present-day Addis Ababa and had a strategic function as well as Ancober, the capital of Scioa between the 18th and 19th centuries.
The town pleased Menelik's wife, Queen Taito who had a house built near the Filwoha hot springs. Menelik enlarged his wife's house by transforming it into a palace.
A serious problem in the development of the city was caused by the lack of firewood. To overcome this inconvenience, many trees were planted, especially eucalyptus.
In 1892, three years after Menelik II's coronation, the city was proclaimed the capital of the Empire of Ethiopia.
Starting from 1900, the city experienced rapid urban development, as evidenced by some buildings of the time and in the following decades it established itself as the largest economic center of Ethiopia.
From May 1936 to May 1941 the city was occupied by the Italian armed forces.
Since 1958 Addis Ababa has hosted the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and, since 1963, the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity. For this reason it is nicknamed "the diplomatic capital of Africa".
How to orient yourself
Addis Ababa: full screen map.The main artery of the old center consists of via Gambia and its extension, called via Churchill. The artery connects the former railway station located to the south with the colonial district called Piazza to the north. Many of the old buildings in the colonial quarter have been converted into budget hotels.
West of the old center extends the new market district (Addis Market), considered the largest ofAfrica while proceeding eastwards you will come across what could be called the modern center of Addis Ababa, as its arrangement dates back to the 2nd post-war period, even if its project was elaborated at the time of the Italian occupation.
The main artery of the modern center is the avenue Menelik II, with a north-south trend. Near the boulevard are the Hilton hotel, the National Palace and the Africa Hall.
Viale Menelik starts from 1 Meskel Square, surrounded on its south side by an amphitheater used for public events and religious festivals, including the annual Meskel Festival.
Districts
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Addis Ababa is divided into 10 districts:
1. Addis Ketema - It is the market area, located west of the old center. The term means "new city".
2. Akaky Kaliti - It is the southernmost suburb of Addis Ababa, bordering the districts of Nifas Silk-Lafto and Bole. Proceeding by car further east (past the toll highway at Tulu Deemtu), you enter the special area of Oromia that surrounds Finfinne. Once you have crossed the city borders, you will meet the city of Galan, and further east that of Dukam.
3. Arada - It is the district just north of the center, centered on the great Charles de Gaulle and Menelik II squares. Arada encompasses part of the colonial district with St. George's Cathedral, the Hager Fikir theater and the Taitu hotel.
4. Bole - The eastern district where the international airport is located surrounded by a number of hotels.
5. Gullele - The district of the northern suburbs located at the foot of Mount Entoto where the homonymous natural park is located.
6. Kirkos - The district that occupies the southern portion of the center. The stadium and the train station are located within its limits.
7. Kolfe Keranio - The western suburban district.
8. Lideta —
9. Nifas Silk-Lafto - The district south of the center.
10. Yeka - The eastern suburbs crossed by the A2 motorway.
How to get
By plane
- 1 Addis Ababa-Bole Airport (ADD). Direct flights from Milan and Rome are insured by the Ethiopian national airline. Below is a list of the airlines operating at the airport in 2021 and their destinations:
- Air Djibouti — Djibouti
- Badr Airlines - Khartoum
- EgyptAir — Cairo.
- Emirates — Dubai- International
- Eritrean Airlines — Asmara, Assab
- Ethiopian Airlines — Abidjan, Abuja, Amman–Queen Alia, Accra, Antananarivo, Arba Minch, Asmara, Asosa, Athens, Awasa, Axum, Bahir Dar, Bahrain, Bamako, Bangalore, Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Beijing – Capital, Beira, Beirut, Blantyre, Bosaso, Brazzaville, Brussels, Buenos Aires- Ezeiza, Bujumbura, Cairo, Cape Town, Chengdu, Chicago – O'Hare1, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar–Diass, Dammam, Dar es Salaam, Delhi, Dembidolo, Dessie, Dire Dawa, Djibouti, Doha, Douala, Dubai- International, Entebbe, Enugu, Frankfurt am Main, Gaborone, Gambella, Garowe, Geneva, Goba, Gode, Goma, Gondar, Guangzhou, Harare, Hargeisa, Hong Kong, Humera, Istanbul, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Jeddah, Jijiga, Jimma, Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo, Juba, Kano, Kebri Dahar, Khartoum, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa – N'Djili, Kisangani, Kuala Lumpur- International, Kuwait, Lagos, Lalibela, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Lomé, London-Heathrow, Luanda, Lubumbashi, Lusaka, Madrid, Mahé, Malabo, Manchester, Manila, Maputo, Marseille, Medina, Mek'ele, Milan-Malpensa, Mogadishu, Mombasa, Moroni, Moscow- Domodedovo, Mumbai, Muscat, Nairobi – Jomo Kenyatta, N'Djamena, Ndola, Newark, New York – JFK, Niamey, Nosy-Be, Oslo, Ouagadougou, Paris- Charles de Gaulle, Pointe-Noire, Riyadh, Rome–Fiumicino, São Paulo – Guarulhos, Semera, Seoul – Incheon, Shanghai – Pudong, Shire, Singapore, Stockholm – Arlanda, Tel Aviv, Tokyo – Narita, Toronto – Pearson1, Victoria Falls, Vienna, Washington – Dulles1, Windhoek – Hosea Kutako , Yaoundé, Zanzibar.
- flydubai - Dubai – International
- Jazeera Airways - Kuwait
- Jettime - Khartoum
- Kenya Airways - Djibouti, Nairobi – Jomo Kenyatta
- Lufthansa - Frankfurt am Main
- National Airways Ethiopia - Asmara, Bahir Dar, Bosaso, Dire Dawa, Dolo, Garowe, Hargeisa, Jijiga, Jimma, Mek'ele, Mogadishu.
- Qatar Airways - Doha
- Rwandair - Kigali
- Saudia - Jeddah, Riyadh
- Sudan Airways - Khartoum
- Turkish Airlines - Istanbul
- The airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the older and smaller of the two and is reserved for domestic flights and those to neighboring countries (Djibouti, Nairobi, Khartoum, etc.).
- Terminal 2 is the newest building, having been completed in 2003 and is reserved for all other international flights. Terminal 2 is equipped with ATMs that accept Visa and Mastercard and forex services and a wide range of currencies.
- Access to both terminals is restricted as of July 2019.
- Taxis are stationed in the parking area, although a dozen superior hotels have stands in the arrivals area and vehicles to pick up customers. There is a public transport stop off the beaten path under the highway bridge. Bole airport will be connected to the rest of the tram network.
- From December 2018 a fixed rate of 300 birr is applied, valid to reach any point of the city regardless of the distance. Taxi drivers gather in the parking lot near the airport. Most likely they will approach you shouting "Taxi!". Non-abusive drivers should have their car marked yellow or green and place their license in a visible spot on the car.
- In addition to taxi drivers, non-Ethiopian tourists are approached by a shouting crowd who gladly lend themselves to secondary services such as porterage. They are generally harmless and only look for a tip, but it may be easy to lose a bag while it is being loaded into the taxi.
By car
In Addis Ababa converge the major roads ofEthiopia and the Horn of Africa:
- A5 - From Gambela and from national park of the same name.
On the train
- 1 Addis Ababa Station (Legehar). Station completed in 1917 by French engineers no longer in operation.
- Legehar was the terminus of the old line "Addis AbabaDjibouti", but after the completion of the new standard gauge track in 2017, the terminus was moved about twenty km further west, in the city of 2 Sebeta.
- The new one has been opened on the outskirts of Addis Ababa 2 Furi-Lebu station, reachable from the center only with a taxi ride of about 45 minutes.
- The station of 3 Indode / Kaliti it is even further from the center.
By bus
- 4 Long distance bus station (Tera Terminal), Fit. Habte Gyorgis (In the Addis Merkato area). It is the main long-distance bus terminus.
How to get around
By public transport
Orange and yellow buses connect the whole city for a minimal fare but have no set times. There are no signs or maps of the existing lines and if you want to use them you will have to ask around. Buses are often overcrowded and are targeted by pickpockets so they are not recommended.
The blue and white minibuses are much more comfortable. The service is efficient and also very economical. To take a minibus, just get on the sidewalk and, as soon as you see one, signal it to stop. The driver will shout the destination and if that's where you want to go just get on.
By taxi
In the capital, taxis are white or blue, they are very cheap and often satisfying.
By car
A valid international driving license is required. There are many possibilities to rent cars in the city, but during the day the roads will be very busy.
What see
Museums
- 2 Addis Ababa Museum, Bole Rd / Airport Rd / Africa Ave (near Meskel square). The museum focuses on artifacts and artifacts from Addis Ababa. The building was once a palace where Ras Biru Habte-Gabriel, a former minister, resided.
- 3 Ethnological Museum. Also known as the Museum and Library of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, this is a fascinating museum with exhibits on the history and culture ofEthiopia. There are many displays of the various ethnic groups found in Ethiopia, with information on each of their lifestyles. Costumes, musical instruments, tools and other artifacts accompany each ethnic exhibit, making it one of the most interesting museums in the city.
- 4 National Museum of Ethiopia, King George VI St (between "Arat Kilo Ave" and the University of Addis Ababa.).
08:30-17:00. A world famous museum. The most famous find is the relic of Lucy, a hominid. The Ethiopian civilization being one of the oldest in the world, the artifacts within the museum span thousands of years, including some of its earliest days. A wide range of artifacts are featured, from sculptures to clothing. Both traditional and modern art are featured.
08:30-17:00. A world famous museum. The most famous find is the relic of Lucy, a hominid. The Ethiopian civilization being one of the oldest in the world, the artifacts within the museum span thousands of years, including some of its earliest days. A wide range of artifacts are featured, from sculptures to clothing. Both traditional and modern art are featured.- 5 Ethiopian Railway Museum (The Gare).
- 6 National Post Museum, Churchill Ave. stamp collections.
- 7 natural History Museum, Queen Elizabeth II. Tue – Sun 09: 00-11: 45, 13: 30-16: 30.
- 8 Memorial Museum of the Martyrs of the Red Terror, Bole Rd, Meskel Square, ☎ 251 11 850 6730.
Free entry. Mon-Sun 08: 00-18: 30. Museum dedicated to those who lost their lives at the time of the Derg. Opened in 2010 with an excellent and modern display style. Visited in 2019, the building was in a fairly poor state with none of the lights apparently working. Worth a quick visit, it won't take more than 15 minutes. The memorial is not intended to be an encyclopedic collection, but a simple and powerful reminder.
Free entry. Religious architectures
- 9 Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selassie). it is the oldest Orthodox cathedral in Addis Ababa, seat of the Orthodox archdiocese. After the Cathedral of Our Lady of Sion in Axum, it is the second most important place of prayer in the country.
- The cathedral is spread over an area of 1200 m² divided into three naves.
- The central nave, richly decorated with stuccoes, is adorned with a large fresco depicting the Holy Trinity; the stained glass windows depict various episodes from the Old and New Testament. There are also two thrones in ebony, ivory and marble, originally intended for the emperor and his wife.
- Of the three altars of the Sancta Sanctorum, the largest is dedicated to Alem Kidist Agaiste Selassie (ie the Holy Trinity, sovereign of the world); the one on the right is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the one on the left to Kidane Meheret (or Our Lady of Mercy).
- The chapel on the north side of the transept houses the mausoleum containing the remains of the emperor Haile Selassié, transferred there on November 5, 2000, and of his wife Menen Asfaw; the other members of the imperial family rest in the crypt, inside the mausoleum built by Haile Selassié.
- The opposite chapel on the south side of the transept, dedicated to St. Michael, has since 2002 contained the Tabot (or "Ark of St. Michael the Archangel"); the relic, found in Edinburgh, had been taken by the English forces in the citadel of Magdala in 1868, during the campaign against the emperor Theodore II.
- 10 St. George's Cathedral. The church was built starting from 1896 at the behest of the Emperor of Ethiopia Menelik II, in order to celebrate the victory against the Italian army in the battle of Adua fought in that same year on the day dedicated to St. George; [1] the the project was entrusted to the engineer Sebastiano Castagna, captured in the war, while the work was carried out by the other Italian prisoners [2] in compliance with the peace agreements with the Kingdom of Italy; construction work was completed in 1911. [1]
- The church was chosen as the site of the coronation ceremony of Empress Zaudito in 1917 and of her successor Hailé Selassié in 1930.
- 11 Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- 12 Medhane Alem Cathedral.
Civil architectures
- 13 Africa Hall. it is the permanent seat of UNECA, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The structure was erected in eighteen months and completed in February 1961. It covers a total area of 75,000 m².
- The complex was designed by the Italian architect Arturo Mezzedimi who in 1959 was called to Addis Ababa by the Ethiopian emperor to build the Africa Hall in a very short time. Mezzedimi also designed the headquarters of the State Bank, the imperial palace, the new town hall, offices of ministries, shopping centers and administrative centers.
- Funded by the United Nations, the facility was extended to 130,000 m² with a new eight-hundred office block on six floors used as a library and other general service buildings. This extension was designed by the Valle Design Studio of Rome.
- 14 African Union building.
- 15 Guenete Leul Palace.
- 16 Palace of Menelik II.
- 17 National Palace.
Monuments
- 18 Monument to the Lion of Judah, Arat Killo.
- 19 Monument to Meyazia 27.
- 20 Yekatit Monument 12.
Parks and gardens
- 21 Park of the Lions (Addis Ababa Zoo). The Addis Ababa Zoo is home to monkeys, kudus, ducks, eagles and turtles.
- Several lions kept in the zoo have been found genetically similar to lions found in Central Africa (Cameroon and Chad), but different from the lions of Yemen, which have long been thought to be related to the Ethiopian ones.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
- 1 Merkato.
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 Hager Fikir Theater, John Melly.
- 2 Ethiopian National Theater, Via Gambia.
- 3 Addis Ababa Stadium. Used primarily for football, the stadium hosts the home matches of the Ethiopian national team and three other teams, Saint George SA, Ethiopian Coffee FC and Defense Force S.
- Built in 1940, it hosted various Africa Cup matches in the 60s and 70s, in the editions of 1962 (with the final won by Ethiopia), 1968 and 1976.
- Famous athletes such as Abebe Bikila is Haile Gebrselassie.
- In 1999 the stadium was renovated in view of the 2001 African Nations Cup Under-20 which was held in Ethiopia and in which the home team finished fourth.
- In 2008 it was home to the African Athletics Championships.
- A new 60,000-seat stadium, the National Stadium, was planned to be built in 2019. by China State Construction Engineering.
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Addis Guest House, Djibuti St. The restaurant at Addis Guest House is run by an Ethiopian American named Yonas and serves a good selection of Western foods, including excellent French toast for breakfast. Yonas qualifies to be the best tour guide you can find in Addis Ababa. He is knowledgeable and very patient with his guests.
- 2 Itegue Taitu Hotel, Between Cunningham and Dejazemach Jote streets (Arada district), ☎ 251 913 803224, 251 929 308230, 251 963 979797. The rooms are mostly decent with comfortable, large beds. Only the toilet and shower are in unsatisfactory condition but the prices are low. The building is made of stone and is one of the oldest in Addis and also the first hotel to be inaugurated in Ethiopia: it was built by the Empress Taitu Betul around 1906. The hotel has a large restaurant and a pleasant bar. external. Vegan buffet lunch for 105 birr per day (2020). The buffet is something of an institution and very popular with both locals and passing tourists.
- 3 Baro Hotel, Mundy (Close to the Wutma hotel in the Piazza district), ☎ 251 11 155 1447, 251 11 157 4157, fax: 251 11 553 7439, @[email protected]. One of the cheapest hotels in the neighborhood but not as far as the internal restaurant is concerned. The rooms are furnished with old fashioned but decently maintained furniture. Credit cards are accepted with no additional fees.
- 4 Wutma hotels, Mundy (Piazza district). Some rooms are nice and clean, others leave something to be desired so it would be best to have a look before occupying them. The restaurant on the ground floor has a thick big screen and when sports matches especially football are being shown, it fills up with quite rowdy locals.
- Mad Vervet Backpackers Hostel, BL-03-552 Steet Hayahulet, ☎ 251 923577808, @[email protected]. 300 birr per person. 15 minutes drive from the airport. 4-bed dormitory rooms have en-suite bathroom. free wifi. garden. bar restaurant. shard kitchen.
- 5 Hotel Holiday, Haile Gebre Srlassie Rd, ☎ 251 11 661 2081. Comfortable hotel with standard and executive rooms. The connection to the network is included in the price and is very fast.
Average prices
- 6 Axum Hotel, Haile Gebresilassie Rd, ☎ 251 11 188832.
- 7 Beer Garden Inn. Near the airport, its menu specialises in German delicacies such as cheese noodles and grilled chicken washed down with wheat beer. A half liter costs 11 birr.
- 8 Damu Hotel.
- 9 Desalegn Hotel, 390 Cape Verde St, ☎ 251 11 6624524, @[email protected]. US $ 76.
- 10 GT Guest House, Sierra Leone St (a mile from Mesqel Sq), ☎ 251 922 451639, @[email protected]. Provides accommodation for business, leisure travelers, families and groups.
- 11 Martin's Cozy Place-German Guesthouse (near the Atlas and almost opposite the side of the hotel). Popular for business people or expats based in the city. Offers a range of services for tourists and it is a homey place for a few nights.
- 12 HotelRas Hotel, Churchill Ave / Gambia St (just north of the railway station), ☎ 251 11 517060, 251 11 447060. Modest rooms in one of the oldest hotels in the old center. Ras Hotel has 4 restaurants. Breakfast and WiFi included in the price.
- 13 Tourist (near the Grand Palace and Trinity Cathedral).
- 14 Wabe Shebelle Hotel, ☎ 251 11 551 7187. US $ 52.
- 15 Yilma Hotel (Mekanessa area). Costs about US $ 25 per night for tourists. Restaurant / cafe with cableTV that plays news and sports channels. They serve food until c. 22: 00-23: 00. The staff is very nice and friendly. They have room service for no added charge. The rooms are minimal but have decent bathrooms with hot water heaters for the shower, flush toilets and tiled floors.
- 16 Z Guest House. From US $ 29.95 / night for a single suite. This a nice family-run bed & breakfast in a quiet residential area has clean rooms and beautiful furnished apartments with fully-equipped kitchens and satellite TV. Is less than one mile from Piassa, only about 12 minutes from the airport.
- 17 Tirago Hotel, off Mike Leyland Street (Not far from Haile Gebreselassie Rd). 1495ETB for double. Family run place, reasonable rooms and very helpful staff. Only downside a little distance from major sights. Can book with internet booking sites. Tucked away in back street very near the Le Louvre Hotel and near to UK embassy. If you don't have GPS you need to familiarize yourself with the route from the embassy as taxis will have trouble finding the guest house but will know the embassy.
} sleep
- 18 Sheger Royal Hotel, near Namibia St (in Bole northwest of airport), ☎ 251 90 318 2555. 1792 birr. Wi-Fi, breakfast, bar, airport shuttle, some rooms with balconies.
- 19 Marcen Addis Hotel, Mickey Leland St, ☎ 251 92 240 2464. 1061 birr. New modern hotel with breakfast and wifi and gym.
- 20 C-Fun Addis Hotel (in Bole), ☎ 251 93 033 7133. 1463 birr. Mid-range hotel with wifi and breakfast. Hospitable even though the name sounds a bit questionable.
High prices
- 21 Addis Ababa Hilton, Central Menelik Ave, ☎ 251 11 518400, fax: 251 11 510064. Airline agents, money changing, restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, swimming pool, internet access.
- 22 Dimitri Hotel, Kebele 16-18 CMC Road, ☎ 251 11 645 3282. Yeka district. Peaceful surroundings in contemporary city area. Many free services, including in-room wireless internet and premium satellite TV.
- 23 Ghion Hotel, Ras Dasta Damtew St (near Maskal / Abbiott Square), ☎ 251 11 513222, 251 11 443170.
- 24 Harmony Hotel, Bole Sub city Kebele 03 House # New, ☎ 251 11 618 3100, @[email protected]. US $ 70. Comfortable 4-star hotel in Bole (near airport). Rooms of a good international standard. Fast wired and wireless internet in rooms. There is a good restaurant, plus fast food outlet and Indian restaurant. There is also a swimming pool and health center.
- 25 Bole International Hotel, 2221 Cameroon St (downtown near beginning of Bole Rd), ☎ 251 11 663 3000. From US $ 65 for a single, US $ 85 for a small double, payment in cash only, no Visa.. About US $ 40 per night. Clean and rooms are huge with living room, separate bedroom, many bathrooms include large tub. Staff is very nice and rooms have enormous balconies overlooking the green open areas of the Sheraton hotel and views of Mt. Entoto. A great place to stay if you need easy access to the Bole Airport without risking traffic delays.
- 26 Jupiter International Hotel, Africa Ave, Airport Rd, ☎ 251 11 661696 (Bole), 251 11 5526418 (Cazanchise), @[email protected]. USD90–200. An aspiring 4-star hotel with two locations in Addis Ababa. The largest property located in the Cazanchise area in walking distance from the UNECA building, near the airport.
- 27 Panorama Hotel (Bole Sub-city Kebele), ☎ 251 91 183 6692. From US $ 59 / night. Nice, clean rooms. 4-star dining and bar. Very nice lobby area.
- 28 Sheraton Addis, Central Yohanis St, ☎ 251 11 517 1717, fax: 251 11 517 2727, @[email protected]. Known to expats as the "Sheza", this huge luxurious hotel was built by an Ethiopian billionaire, who is also Ethiopia's largest employer after the government. This is the place to go for 5-star opulence. It also one of few places in Addis where you can get cash from an ATM or credit card.
- 29 Wassamar Hotel, Bole Rd, ☎ 251 11 661 0059, @[email protected]. USD95. Comfortable three / four star hotel in Bole (near airport). Several floors of rooms all of good standard. Wired and wireless internet are available. A courtesy bus is available to and from the airport.
Safety
Petty crime is widespread in Islamic neighborhoods, so don't show valuables in this regard.
Emergency numbers:
- Police: 921 or 991
- Traffic Police: 945
- Fire brigade: 939
- First aid (ambulance service): 907.
How to keep in touch
Around
- 1 Mount Entoto —
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Addis Ababa
Commons contains images or other files on Addis Ababa
Wikiquote contains quotes from or about Addis Ababa
