Bales Worldwide Holidays - Africa - Ethiopia

Ethiopia, the ancient land of Abyssinia, whose history stretches back more than 3,000 years - legend has it that the Queen of Sheba had her capital at Axum in the 10th century BC. It is also a land of rugged mountains and picturesque lakes, including Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Ethiopia was Christian long before Europe, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with its many traditions, festivals and colourful ceremonies, has been a towering influence on the nation's way of life for centuries. The astonishing 12th century churches at Lalibela, carved out of the living rock, and reputed to have been inspired by a supernatural vision, have been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World".