Most of Ethiopia lies within the Horn of Africa, the easternmost part of the continent. The country covers an area of about 1,100,000 square kilometers (420,000 sq mi) and is home to more than 109 million people. At its heart lies a vast highland of mountains and dissected plateaus, divided by the Great Rift Valley. Ethiopia’s terrain is remarkably diverse, with wide variations in climate, soils, vegetation, and settlement patterns. It ranges from deserts along the eastern border to tropical forests in the south. In the north, Lake Tana serves as the source of the Blue Nile. The country is also home to many endemic species, including the gelada, the Walia ibex, and the Ethiopian wolf (“Simien fox”). Its wide range of altitudes has created distinct ecological zones, fostering the evolution of species in isolation. I have traveled extensively throughout Ethiopia, both hiking and cycling. Everywhere I went, I encountered wonderful people, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and remarkable wildlife.