Ethiopia

At a Glance

Ethiopia is one of Africa's oldest civilisations and its most geographically dramatic, with the ancient churches of Lalibela carved into volcanic rock, the rugged Simien Mountains, the Great Rift Valley, and the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most otherworldly places on earth. The coffee culture here is the origin of the global tradition, and the cuisine is distinctive and deeply communal. It is a demanding but extraordinary destination for those willing to engage deeply.

• Never colonised — one of only two African countries to successfully resist European occupation.
• Origin of coffee: the word 'coffee' comes from the Kaffa region in southern Ethiopia.
• Fastest-growing economy in Africa for several consecutive years before recent conflicts.