Ethiopia is found in eastern Africa, in the area known as ‘the Horn of Africa’. Ethiopia shares borders with Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea.
Quick Facts
Population: 108.386 million
Ethnic Groups: Oromo (34.5%), Amhara (27%), Somali (6.2%), Tigray (6.1%), Sidama (4%), Gurage (2.5%), Welaita (2.3%), Hadiya (1.7%), Afar (1.7%), Gamo (1.5%,) Gedeo (1.3%), Silte (1.3%), Kefficho (1.2%), Other (8.8%)
Languages: Oromo (Official Regional) (33.8%), Amharic (Official) (29.3%), Somali (6.2%), Tigrayan (Official Regional) (5.9%), Sidamo (4%), Wolaytta (2.2%), Guragiegna (2%), Afar (1.7%), Hadiyya (1.7%), Gamo (1.5%), Gedeo (1.3%), Opuuo (1.2%), Kafa (1.1%), Other (8.1%), English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic
Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox (43.5%), Muslim (33.9%), Protestant (18.5%), Traditional (2.7%), Catholic (0.7%), Other (0.6%)
Capital: Addis Ababa
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 29, 2019
Ethiopians in Canada
Ethiopian Population in Canada
44,060
Useful Links
As the oldest independent country in Africa, Ethiopia served an important role for African independence during the colonial period. Christianity has a long history in Ethiopia. It was introduced in the fourth century and was the state religion from 1270 until the Marxist revolution in 1974. Churches, especially evangelical churches, were severely persecuted under the communist regime. However, when the Marxist regime collapsed in 1991, Ethiopia regained its religious freedom. Today, there are over 80 different religions being practiced in Ethiopia. The main three categories of religion in Ethiopia are Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religions.
- BBC News. (2013, November 26). Ethiopia profile. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349398
- Central Intelligence Agency. (2019, December 17). The World Factbook: Ethiopia. Retrieved December 29, 2019, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ethiopia/
- Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). Ethiopia. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/geography
- Ethiopians. (2009). In T. L. Gall & J. Hobby (Eds.), Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 210-216). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2009, October 15). Cultural Information – Ethiopia. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/ci-ic_et.aspx?lang=eng
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2011, December 15). Overview – Ethiopia. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/overview-apercu_et.aspx?lang=eng
- Mandryk, J. (2010). Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th ed.). Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing.
- Prayercast. (n.d.). Ethiopia. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.prayercast.com/ethiopia.html
- Statistics Canada. (2011, April 7). 2006 Census of Canada: Topic-based tabulations/Ethnic Origin, Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses and Sex for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census – 20% Sample Data. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement