ETHIOPIA

A Turist Paradise.

Ethiopia is a country of endless diversity. - Now Selenta offers you a brief "at - a glande" guide to some of its most interesting attractions and also to some of its most colourful customs and ceremonies.-

Many people visit Ethiopia - or hope todo so one day because of the remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been presented. - And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the etiopian Orthodox Church, some of which are highlighted on the following pages, open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament.- In no other country is it possible to find yourself so dramatically trasported back in time or participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an arcaic faith.-

The past also comes alive in Ethiopia in the form of strange and beauthiful monuments and ruins, built long centuries ago, which have been preserved intact into modern times. - At Axum you will see 2,000 year old stelae carved out of single pieces of granite, weighing hundreds of tons and standing more than 30 metres tall.-

They are part of a tradition of monolitic art that is also rapresented elsewhere in Ethiopia. Lalibela, for example, where eleven complete churches were hewn out of solid bedrock almost 800 years ago.- These incredible edifices, redolent of the lost wisdom of the ancients, remain places of living worship to this day.-

In Gondar you will see faerytale castles dating back to the 17^th century that seem to belong in an Arthurian Romance.- And in Harar you will lose yourself in an Arabian nights fantasy of narrow alleyways and towering minarets, of incense and intrigue.-

But an ancient history and rich traditions are only a few of the many blessings that have been heaped on Ethiopia.-

This, too, is a land of astonishing natural beauty offering an almost unbelivable variety of landscapes: Afro - Alpine highlands souring to around 4,300 metres; deserts below sea level sprinkled with salt flats and yellow sulphur; astonishing lakelands where rare and beautiful birds brighten the sky; moors and mountains; the splendour of the Great Rift Valley; white water rivers; savannahs teeming with game; giant waterfalls; dense and luxurious jungle …. The list is endless.-

To help the visitor enjoy Ethiopia's wildlife and scenery and to ensure the preservation of these a large number of national parks have been created and are listed in the pages of this guide.-

These parks encompass some of the world's last true wildernesses and visit to any one of them offers opportunities for adventure unparalleled in Africa.-

Ethiopia is truly a land of discovery brilliant and beautifull, secretive, mysterious and extraordinary.- After reading this brief guide we hope that you will be encouraged to experience il for yourself.-