Abessinien, das Alpenland unter den Tropen und seine Grenzländer

A vivid, illustrated guide invites listeners into the “Alpine land beneath the tropics,” where soaring highlands contrast sharply with sun‑baked plains. The first sections paint the geography in concise detail—the rugged mountains, seasonal rivers that feed the Nile, and the distinctive climate zones that nurture a surprising mix of wildlife and vegetation. Alongside the natural portrait, the work sketches the fabric of Abyssinian society: diverse ethnic groups, their languages and customs, the uniquely African expression of Christianity, and the uneasy dialogue with neighboring Islamic cultures.

Interwoven with these foundations are firsthand accounts from a succession of travelers, from early chroniclers to the daring French explorer Guillaume Lejean and the Swiss‑German expeditions of Werner Munzinger and the Duke of Saxe‑Coburg. Their vivid sketches, maps and early photographs bring the bustling markets, remote monasteries and snow‑capped peaks to life, allowing the audience to trace a journey from the fever‑hot coast through the sweltering lowlands to the cool, mist‑shrouded plateaus beyond.