Bahir Dar
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Blue Nile Falls
One of the destinations in the historic root (north) is
Bahir Dar which is 573 kilometers from Addis
Ababa , accessible by good Asphalt road and daily by plane. It is located
on the southern shore of Lake Tana , its altitude is 1820 meters above
sea level. It is a base for excursions on Lake Tana and Blue Nile falls.
Lake Tana: It is one of the largest lakes
in Ethiopia and it is also the source of Blue Nile . It has an area of
3600 square kilometers, it has many churches and monasteries; most of
the churches are built during the Medieval period.
The churches and monasteries have historical and cultural interest. Some
are decorated with beautiful paintings and are the repository of innumerable
treasures. Both the islands and peninsula of Lake Tana can be reached
by boat from the port Bahirdar.
Blue Nile falls: Locally known as ‘Tis Isat’
(the water that smokes), it is 32 kilometers from Bahirdar.
It is one of the largest spectacular water falls in Africa ; depending
on seasonal fluctuation the level of the water changes.
Blue Nile river is the longest river in the world.
The altitude drops from Lake Tana to the Sudanese frontier.
The Town Bahir Dar has color full market, a variety of handicrafts, weaving
products, locally made canoes (Tankuas) which are made of Papyrus, and
there is a panoramic view of the town near to the late Emperor Haile Selassie
palace; and some times Hippos are also seen along the Blue Nile River
.