In this article, you are offered with touristic essential facts, about the Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa, in the eyes of the writer and using touristic guide of the city as reference. On the eastern edge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Dire Dawa appears out of the desert.
It is located on 515 kilometers on the east of the capital Addis Ababa. It is on 50 kilometers on the northeast of Harar and 313 kilometers on the west of Djibouti. And it is the second chartered city of Ethiopia that covers the area of 1300 square kilometers.
Dire Dawa is bordered with Oromia State on the south and south east while it is bordered by the Ethiopia Somali State on the north, west and northwest. It lies between 9026’-90 52’N and 41038’- 42026’E. The city has a hot semi arid climate with a relatively low level of precipitation.
The mean annual temperature is 260C (790F) with an average maximum temperature of 330C (910F) while its minimum temperature is 190C (660F). It gets an annual average rainfall of 604mm that falls during March, April, August and September. And the sunny weather dominates the rest of the year.
In addition to this, it is the city where different socio-linguistic groups live in harmony like in the other towns of Ethiopia. The vast majority of the populations include Oromo, Somali, Amhara, Guraghe, Harari and others. It is almost difficult to notice differences as almost all of the people equally speak specially Afaan Oromo, Somali and Amharic which shows the beauty in diversity.
There are also various religions where radicalism cannot be seen. The major religious organizations functioning in the city are Islam, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido, Protestant Churches and Catholic. With its beautiful modern center and the surrounding rural areas, the city is endowed with markings of civilization from prehistoric to modern times.
These include various cave shelters that are filled prominent archeological findings. And the rocks at the paintings indicate that the region was inhibited by humans since primitive. A lot of artifacts were excavated from a nearby medieval town also evidence historic evidence settlements compromised of industrial activities, religious buildings, storage pits and more.
However, the modern Dire Dawa city was founded in the beginning of the 20 century in conjunction with the establishment of the old railway line connecting Addis Ababa with Djibouti. The railway construction provided the city with a unique modern historical feature.
Owing these all, a visit in the city sparks a feeling of wonderment as it creates chance to see clues of ancient civilization inseparably bound with modernity and industrialization.
Furthermore, Dire Dawa’s proximity to renowned tourist sites includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site-The Harar Jagol. Kulubi Gabriel, Babile Elephant and Stele Sanctuary, Kundodo Mountain, Feral Horses in Gursum, Goda Buticha Cave, Laga Oda Cave, Porc-Epic Cave, Goda Agawa Cave, Paintings on the Rocks and the Ruins of Historical Towns are something very amazing to be seen making the city mainstay of tourists in the eastern Ethiopian shinny parts.
As well, the mountains, hills and the valleys surrounding the city are very mind attracting when observed with hearing the slow songs of the few birds found there. The city’s greenery and flowery trees are also something to be given time enthusiastically.
The Ethiopian Herald April 12, 2019
BY DIRRIBA TESHOME
