How big is Ethiopia? |
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Ethiopia is located in Eastern Africa, bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya. With a population of over 90 million, the 14th highest in the world, it is one of the most populous countries in Africa. Ethiopia's large population may come as a surprise to some Americans. The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, has a population of 3.1 million. If Addis Ababa were in the United States it would be the third most populous city in the nation. Despite this Ethiopia's urban population accounts for only 19% of their total population. So while the country has many similarities to a first world country it is still very much a rural nation.
When discussing the larger African nations Egypt and South Africa seem to be much more common, and Ethiopia has a population greater than both of them. Because of this Ethiopia is even more foreign to us than it already was, being half a world away. However Ethiopia still has many modern amenities, like the internet, that one may not typically associate with an Eastern African country.
Demographical information courtesy of the CIA's World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
When discussing the larger African nations Egypt and South Africa seem to be much more common, and Ethiopia has a population greater than both of them. Because of this Ethiopia is even more foreign to us than it already was, being half a world away. However Ethiopia still has many modern amenities, like the internet, that one may not typically associate with an Eastern African country.
Demographical information courtesy of the CIA's World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
Ethiopia and the US
While Ethiopia and its capital, Addis Ababa, are not as wealthy as first world countries they still share many traits in common with our country.
In this video by author and vlogger John Green, Green addresses some of these misconceptions. He interviews students at Addis Ababa University and their internet presence and more about how their middle class is working to pull their lower class further out of poverty. His conversations with these Ethiopians (and Bill Gates!) does a fantastic job articulating how similar the country is to ours despite how different it is.
In this video by author and vlogger John Green, Green addresses some of these misconceptions. He interviews students at Addis Ababa University and their internet presence and more about how their middle class is working to pull their lower class further out of poverty. His conversations with these Ethiopians (and Bill Gates!) does a fantastic job articulating how similar the country is to ours despite how different it is.
As you can see by this picture taken by David Stanley you can see how similar Ethiopia's capital skyline is to a skyline of any small American city.
Thankfully because of how wide spread the internet is we live in a truly international world. Videos like Green's help to educate us about people thousands of miles away.
However, despite this Ethiopia has one of the lowest "internet penetration rates" (according to the Open Net Initiative) in all of Africa. While there are efforts by citizens to increase the access and speed of the internet in the country, the push has been slow and Ethiopia still lags behind.
Freedom House ranks Ethiopia as having some of the most limited internet access in the world, ranking at 80/100, where 100 is least free. Ethiopia's government heavily monitors the internet access of its people and restricts more than most countries in the world. If the country does not want to fall behind the rest of the world, and keep pace with its development then the government needs to allow its citizens more access to the internet.
Thankfully because of how wide spread the internet is we live in a truly international world. Videos like Green's help to educate us about people thousands of miles away.
However, despite this Ethiopia has one of the lowest "internet penetration rates" (according to the Open Net Initiative) in all of Africa. While there are efforts by citizens to increase the access and speed of the internet in the country, the push has been slow and Ethiopia still lags behind.
Freedom House ranks Ethiopia as having some of the most limited internet access in the world, ranking at 80/100, where 100 is least free. Ethiopia's government heavily monitors the internet access of its people and restricts more than most countries in the world. If the country does not want to fall behind the rest of the world, and keep pace with its development then the government needs to allow its citizens more access to the internet.
Why does this matter?
Understanding how a country on the other side of the world is similar and different to one's own is a vital part of being a global citizen. By looking at Ethiopia's demographics and usage of the internet we can use the country as a mirror and see how their pushes for a more free internet relate to the battle over Net Neutrality in the United States. It enables us as individuals to find ways to offer support to a country over 8000 miles away.
Sources:
"The World Factbook: Ethiopia." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Ethiopia." OpenNet Initiative. SecDev Group, 30 Sept. 2009. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Freedom on the Net." Freedom House. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Ethiopia." OpenNet Initiative. SecDev Group, 30 Sept. 2009. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.
"Freedom on the Net." Freedom House. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.