The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa. It is the largest city in Ethiopia and is located on a well-watered plateau surrounded by hills and mountains in the geographic center of the country. The city has been the capital of Ethiopia since 1889 when Menelik II became emperor. Addis Ababa is a highly developed and important cultural, artistic, financial, and administrative center of Ethiopia. It is also the educational and administrative center of the country, with Addis Ababa University and several teacher-training colleges and technical schools located in the city.