Jijiga, Ethiopia

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Jijiga, Ethiopia

Region: Somali Region

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Geographic Coordinates: 9.350000, 42.800000

Climate: Dry and hot with occasional rain during the short rainy season from March to April, and a longer rainy season from July to September.

Population: 159300

Language: Somali

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Jijiga is a city located in the eastern part of Ethiopia and serves as the capital city of the Somali region. With a population of over 500, 000 people, It is one of Ethiopia’s fastest-growing cities and renowned for its rich cultural heritage, Beautiful landscapes, And vibrant markets. One of Jijiga’s most notable landmarks is the Jijiga Palace built by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1935. It was used as a residence for Ethiopian royalty during their visits to the region but now serves as a museum showcasing traditional Somali culture and artifacts.

Visitors can also explore bustling marketplaces such as Khat Market where they can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Nature lovers will appreciate Babille Elephant Sanctuary, Home to over 300 elephants. Nearby villages like Harar Jugol offer well-preserved Islamic architecture designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Food culture in Jijiga offers unique dishes influenced by both Ethiopian and Somali cuisine such as Injera served with spicy meat stews or curries like Doro Wat. Local delicacies include camel milk tea or goat meat soup.

Overall, Jijiga offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its mix of cultural heritage sites, Natural beauty spots, Vibrant markets and delicious cuisine making it one of Ethiopia’s must-visit destinations!

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1. Jijiga is the capital city of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia.
2. Visitors to Jijiga can enjoy a variety of landmarks and tourist attractions, including:
1. The famous khat market, which is a popular destination for buying and selling this stimulant plant.
2. The Jijiga Central Mosque, which is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Ethiopia.
3. Aw Bare Palace, which was built by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1955 as a summer residence for himself and his family.
4. The Somali Region Cultural Museum, which showcases various aspects of Somali culture, including traditional clothing, music, dance, and art.
5. Godey Rock Paintings, which are ancient rock paintings located about 120 km from Jijiga that depict scenes from prehistoric life.
6. Fafan Valley, which is another scenic area near Jijiga with lush greenery and stunning landscapes that attract many tourists.
7. Harar Jugol (Harar Old Town), which is located about 200 km from Jijiga and features unique Islamic architecture dating back to the 16th century along with several mosques still used today by worshippers.
8. Babile Elephant Sanctuary, which offers visitors a chance to see elephants up close while enjoying breathtaking views of surrounding mountainside terrain; it’s also home to other wildlife like baboons and hyenas too!

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Primary Industries

1. Agriculture: Jijiga is known for its agricultural products such as livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
2. Trading: The city is a hub for trade between Ethiopia and Somalia. There are many markets where goods like textiles, spices, electronics, and other commodities are sold.
3. Construction: The construction industry in Jijiga is growing rapidly due to the increasing demand for housing and infrastructure development.
4. Hospitality: There are several hotels and restaurants in Jijiga that cater to tourists who visit the area.
5. Manufacturing: Small-scale manufacturing activities such as textile production, leather processing, food processing, and metalworks can be found in the city.
6. Services sector: The services sector includes banking services provided by various banks operating within the city limits as well as transportation services offered by private operators that connect Jijiga with other parts of Ethiopia.
7. Education: There are several schools ranging from primary to tertiary institutions located within the city limits offering education opportunities to local residents as well as students from neighboring regions.

Overall, Jijiga has a diversified economy with agriculture being one of its mainstay sectors followed by manufacturing, services, trading, construction, hospitality among others.

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1. The Ogaden War: This was a conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia over the disputed region of Ogaden, which includes Jijiga. The war lasted from 1977 to 1978.
2. Haile Selassie: The former Ethiopian emperor visited Jijiga in 1960 to inaugurate a new hospital.
3. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed: He was a Somali politician who served as president of Somalia from 2004 to 2008. He lived in Jijiga during his exile from Somalia in the early 1990s.
4. Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan: He was a Somali nationalist leader who fought against British colonial rule in Somaliland and parts of Ethiopia, including Jijiga, during the early twentieth century.
5. Mohammed Farah Aidid: He was a Somali military commander and political leader who played a prominent role in the civil war that followed the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime in Somalia. Aidid’s forces briefly occupied Jijiga during this period.
6. Abdi Iley: He is a former president of the Somali Region who served from 2010 until his resignation in August 2018 amid allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.
7. Abdirahman Farole: He is another former president of the Somali Region who served from 2005 to 2010 before being appointed governor of Puntland State in neighboring Somalia.
8. Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar: He is an Ethiopian-born British lawyer and politician who represented East London as an MP for Labour Party between June-December,1997; he also served as Minister for African Affairs under Tony Blair’s government (2001-2003).

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1. Jijiga Cultural Center showcases the culture and traditions of the Somali people in Ethiopia.
2. Jijiga Central Market is a bustling market where visitors can find local crafts, spices, and other goods.
3. Karamara Museum displays artifacts from various ethnic groups in the region, including Oromo and Somali.
4. Harar Jugol is located about 120 km from Jijiga, this ancient walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique architecture and cultural significance.
5. Awbare Hot Springs are natural hot springs located about 70 km from Jijiga and are a popular destination for relaxation and healing properties.
6. Babile Elephant Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located about 50 km from Jijiga that is home to herds of elephants as well as other wildlife such as baboons and hyenas.
7. Sheikh Hussein Shrine is a holy site for Muslims located near Harar Jugol that attracts pilgrims from all over Ethiopia.
8. Fafan Valley is an area known for its scenic beauty including lush green hillsides and waterfalls.
9. Degehabur Castle Ruins are the ruins of an ancient castle that was once the seat of power for local rulers in the region.
10. Garaad Wiilwaal Monument is a monument dedicated to a prominent Somali poet who lived in the area during the early 20th century.

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1. International Women’s Day: Celebrated on March 8th each year to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also advocating for gender equality.
2. International Day of Peace: Observed on September 21st every year to promote peace and non-violence worldwide through various activities such as peace walks, concerts, and educational events.
3. World AIDS Day: Held on December 1st annually to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment while remembering those who have lost their lives to the disease.

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• Injera – a sourdough flatbread made from teff flour.
• Kitfo – minced raw beef seasoned with spices and served with injera.
• Doro Wat – a spicy chicken stew served with injera.
• Tibs – grilled or sautéed meat (usually beef or goat) served with injera.

Some popular restaurants in Jijiga, Ethiopia include:

• Karamara Restaurant & Cafe.
• Basha Restaurant and Cafe.
• Habesha Restaurant & Cafe.
• Al-amin restaurant.
• Sufi restaurant.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Jijiga Central Park
2. Karamara Park
3. Aw-Barre Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Jijiga Stadium
5. Hargele Recreation Center
6. Fafan Forest Reserve
7. Jijiga Cultural Center
8. Somali Region Museum and Library
9. Camel Market in Jijiga
10. Trekking and hiking in the surrounding mountains

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Escape The Norm.

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