%

Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga,
Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.5%
male: 45.5%
female: 25.3%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form: Ethiopia
local long form: none
local short form: Ityop'iya
abbreviation: FDRE

Data code: ET

Type of government: federal republic
note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic
Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU
Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was
promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular
elections were held in May and June 1995

Capital: Addis Ababa

Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based administrative
regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1
federal capital*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumaz;
Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and
Peoples; Tigray

Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the
oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years

National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu
regime)

Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President NEGASSO Gidada (since NA August 1995)
elected by the Council of People's Representatives following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August
1995) designated by the party in power, EPRDF, following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994
constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and
approved by the Council of People's Representatives

Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
Federal Council: upper chamber, having NA members, represents the
ethnic interests of the regional governments and is elected by the
regional assemblies
Council of People's Representatives: lower chamber, having 550
members, elected by popular vote
note: both bodies have five-year terms of office; regional and
national popular elections were held in May and