Dire Dawa

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Overview

Dire-Dawa(which means “empty plain”) is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia (the other being the capital, Addis Ababa). With a latitude and longitude of 9°35′N 41°52′E, this city is the second largest in Ethiopia. The city is an industrial centre, home to several markets and the Aba Tenna D. Yilma International airport. Dire Dawa lies in the east of the nation, on the Dechatu River, at the foot of a ring of cliffs that has been described as "somewhat like a cluster of tea-leaves in the bottom of a slop-basin. Dire Dawa was founded in 1902 after the Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway reached the area. The railroad could not reach the city of Harar at its higher elevation, so Dire Dawa was built nearby.

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History

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When to Go

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Transport

» Getting Around

» Getting There & Away

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General Health and Safety

Most of the residents of the city chew the narcotic leaves known as "Chat". In the after-noon, in many places, Dire-Dawans sit in circle and consume chat, with several cups of coffee. During this time there could be a heated discussion. (Avoid political topics, especially, with the Ethiopian Somalis or somali refugees.)Other than that, you could have an interesting experience observing Dire-Dawans. CAUTION:- "Chat" is illigal in the US and EU. DO NOT TRY TO EXPORT IT OUT OF ETHIOPIA TO EUROPE OR USA.

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