History does not stand still.

Addis Ababa, 1897 and 2021.

Although the broader region had been inhabited from time immemorial, and the nearby Mount Entoto had served as a capital for previous Ethiopian emperors between the 15th and 16th century, the location of the current city was chosen by Empress Taytu Betul around 1886, when the newly sprouting capital was named “Addis Ababa” (አዲስ አበባ), or “New Flower”.

The city has since grown to over 5 million inhabitants.