Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a large, landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa in East Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. The country's vast and diverse geography, coupled with its ancient history, has made it a critical crossroads of civilizations. The population, estimated around 126 million, makes it one of the most populous nations in the region. The national capital and largest city is Addis Ababa, which serves as a major hub for international diplomacy and trade.