It is hardly possible to name another country in the world that is so ignored on the map of adventure tourism, yet has so much to show, to share and to teach. Ethiopia's headlines usually consist of news about droughts, tribal disputes, starvation, and overpopulation, but one hardly ever hears (or remembers) that Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. Its first Emperor, Menelik, was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The oldest remains of the human race, like the famous "Lucy", have been excavated here, so Ethiopia may well be the birthplace of human kind. Under the name Abyssinia, its culture and traditions date back 3000 years, and it was the second country to officially become Christian. Many people forget that Ethiopia possesses an architectural treasure trove with hundreds of churches carved into giant granite rocks, and superb ecological phenomena such as the Simien Mountains - one of the world's highest and most stunning places with unique and endemic wildlife. Ethiopia is also where coffee was born and where some of the last truly tribal people of the African continent live. Behind the one-sided international news, lies a country of rich tribal culture, Christian history, endemic wildlife and gracious landscape, with remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been preserved, and with great efforts to similarly preserve its natural heritage. An outstanding destination for the adventurous traveler.