Ethiopia
Global Health in Ethiopia
August 11, 2010
Introduction
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country completely surrounded by land, and positioned in the northeast region of Africa. Formally known as Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is the second most populated country in Africa. As of 2009 the population is estimated to be greater than 79.2 million people, and ranked the tenth largest by area with 1,100,000 km per square inch. Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya are located on the outskirts of Ethiopia. There are eighty different languages used in Ethiopia. Afar, Berta, Oromo, and Somali are the main languages used in this country, but Amharic is the language most spoken in Ethiopia (Britannica, 2010). The climate in Ethiopia is tropical with periods of heavy rainfall to dry desert weather. Elevated terrains have a temperature of 60 degrees and below while the lower terrains are approximately 80 degrees. Addis Ababa, the capital, has a yearly temperature of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. During the night the temperature drops to 44-50 degrees Fahrenheit, so a light coat may be needed. Ethiopia has three seasons: the dry season, called bega, is from September to February, although the coolest weather is in December or January. Next is a brief period of rain known as belg, which is from March to April. May is mostly arid then precedes a lengthy rain period during June, July, and August called the kremt (Britannica, 2010).
Ethiopia is called a third world country because of its poverty rate. The economy relies on agriculture, which makes up 45% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and 85% of their employment. Repeated droughts, deforestation, soil erosion, and overgrazing has affected terrains, however there is enough land for farmers to cultivate. Coffee is an important export and was sold oversees in 2006 for $350 million, but with the decreased prices cultivators are selling other crops to bring in money (Britannica, 2010).
History
Ethiopia is known
August 11, 2010
Introduction
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a country completely surrounded by land, and positioned in the northeast region of Africa. Formally known as Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is the second most populated country in Africa. As of 2009 the population is estimated to be greater than 79.2 million people, and ranked the tenth largest by area with 1,100,000 km per square inch. Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya are located on the outskirts of Ethiopia. There are eighty different languages used in Ethiopia. Afar, Berta, Oromo, and Somali are the main languages used in this country, but Amharic is the language most spoken in Ethiopia (Britannica, 2010). The climate in Ethiopia is tropical with periods of heavy rainfall to dry desert weather. Elevated terrains have a temperature of 60 degrees and below while the lower terrains are approximately 80 degrees. Addis Ababa, the capital, has a yearly temperature of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. During the night the temperature drops to 44-50 degrees Fahrenheit, so a light coat may be needed. Ethiopia has three seasons: the dry season, called bega, is from September to February, although the coolest weather is in December or January. Next is a brief period of rain known as belg, which is from March to April. May is mostly arid then precedes a lengthy rain period during June, July, and August called the kremt (Britannica, 2010).
Ethiopia is called a third world country because of its poverty rate. The economy relies on agriculture, which makes up 45% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and 85% of their employment. Repeated droughts, deforestation, soil erosion, and overgrazing has affected terrains, however there is enough land for farmers to cultivate. Coffee is an important export and was sold oversees in 2006 for $350 million, but with the decreased prices cultivators are selling other crops to bring in money (Britannica, 2010).
History
Ethiopia is known