Ethiopia was formerly known in English as Abyssinia.
Abyssinia was a historical name used especially for the Ethiopian highlands and the Ethiopian Empire. The modern name Ethiopia derives from the Greek Aithiopia and became the standard international name for the country.
Ethiopia has one of Africa's longest recorded histories. The kingdom of Aksum, centred in the northern highlands, became a major regional power and adopted Christianity in the fourth century under King Ezana.
The country is also notable for maintaining its independence during the European colonial period, apart from the Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, was founded in 1886 and is now a major diplomatic centre hosting the headquarters of the African Union.