Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, known for its ancient history as Africa's oldest independent nation, rich cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes including the Simien Mountains and the Great Rift Valley. It is the most populous landlocked country in the world, with a significant role in regional politics. While it has faced challenges like periodic droughts and ethnic tensions, Ethiopia is strategically important, a founder of the United Nations, and hosts the African Union headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa.