Basics
- Founded in the 13th
- Has been the political capital of Ethiopia during the time of Emperor Yohannes IV between 1872-89.
- Now the political, economic and educational capital of the Tigray Region (Province).
- The 3rd largest city in Ethiopia with a population of about 400,000 inhabitants.
- Mekelle sits at 2,254 m (7,395 ft) elevation, close to the edge of the northern portion of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, on a Jurassic limestone plateau.
- The two major landmarks in the city are the martyrs’ memorial monument and the castle of Emperor Yohannes IV (now serves as a museum).
- Popular hotels: Axum Hotel; Planet Hotel; Desta Hotel; Atse Yohannes Hotel; Milano Hotel.
- Regular flight connection with Addis Ababa
Weather
- Annual rainfall about 530 mm (20.8 inches).
- Monthly Tem and PPT:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 23 (73) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
26 (79) |
27 (81) |
27 (81) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
22 (72) |
24 (76) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 16 (61) |
17 (63) |
18 (64) |
19 (66) |
20 (68) |
20 (68) |
18 (64) |
17 (63) |
18 (64) |
17 (63) |
16 (61) |
15 (59) |
18 (64) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 36 (1.4) |
10 (0.4) |
30 (1) |
46 (1.8) |
36 (1.4) |
30 (1.2) |
201 (7.9) |
216 (8.5) |
36 (1.4) |
10 (0.4) |
30 (1) |
41 (1.6) |
722 (28) |
Source: Weatherbase