Addis Ababa (sometimes spelled Addis Abeba, the spelling used by the official Ethiopian Mapping Authority) was established in 1886. (In Ethiopian languages: Amharic, Adis Abäba "new flower," Oromo, Finfinne, IPA: [adːiːs aβəβa]; Ge'ez ኣዲስ ኣበባ) It is the capital city of Ethiopia and of the African Union and its predecessor, the OAU, and also the largest city in Ethiopia, with a population of 2,738,248 according to the 2007 population census. As a chartered city (ras gez astedader), Addis Ababa has the status of both a city and a state. It is often called the capital of Africa or the "African Capital" due to its historical, diplomatic and political significance for the continent. The city is populated by people from different regions of Ethiopia - the country has as many as 80 nationalities speaking 80 languages and belonging to different religious communities. The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, lies at an altitude of 7,546 feet (2,300 metres), making it the third highest capital in the world. Addis Ababa is a grassland biome and is located at 9°02′N 38°44′E / 9.03°N 38.74°E. From its lowest point, around Bole International Airport, at 2,326 metres (7,630 ft) above sea level in the southern periphery, the city rises to over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in the Entoto Mountains to the north.

The site was chosen by Empress Taytu Betul and the city was founded in 1886 by her husband, Emperor Menelik II, and now has a population of around 2.7 million. The city lies at the foot of Mount Entoto, and is home to Addis Ababa University.