In a 1855 AD the British explorer Richard Burton becomes the first European to enter the City of Harar and in his letter of justification for embarking on a venture perceived to be fraught with unknown dangers he describes Harar the enter port between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts and the massive Ethiopian hinterland as :-

The Ancient metropolis of a once mighty race, the only permanent settlement in Eastern Africa, the reported seat of Muslim learning a walled city of stone houses possessing its independent chief., its peculiar population, its unknown language , and its own coinage...and the great manufacturer of cotton clothes, amply it appeared, deserved the trouble of exploration.

In the 140 years since then Harar had gone through innumerable vicissitudes including four major wars, a series of socio-economic upheavals and natural catastrophes. And yet it has maintained its dignity, its unique culture and particular brand of serenity.

Harar today is a city whose people thrives on smiles and friendless and unlike Burton’s days it can be easily and most comfortably reached along an asphalt high way from Dire Dawa which is only 55 kms away and by all weather road from Jijiga.

In historical retrospect Harar began to come into geo-poletical prominence with the founding of the first Muslim Sultanate in 896 AD. It flourishes through the centuries and served as a powerful economic and commercial capital of a cast Muslim state which vied on equal terms with the Atse state in North West Ethiopia. It further become the administrative capital of the Region in 1521 AD.

The great defensive wall called the Jugal. Surrounds the inner citadel of Harar was built in the 1550’s by Amir Nur, the nephew of the great Imam Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim al Ghazi, commonly known as "AHMED GRAGN"

Harar is located in South Eastern Ethiopia at about 526 kms from Addis Ababa. It is situated between 90 18’ North latitude and 420 7’ East longitude. It is bordered to the north by Combolcha and Jarso to the south by Fadis to the East by Babil and to the West by Alemaya. It is situated on the plateau between 1600 ms and 1900 ms above sea level.

Aw Hakim is the major mountain near the city. The main rivers are the Hamaressa, Erer and Bissidimo further more numerous rivers in the area flow South to drain in the Wabi Shebele basin. In fact the ‘’Jagal’ itself is surrounded by streams which spring intermittently in their very short course from the five gates.

Climatically Harar is among the luckiest cities in the world which are mild throughout the year. To quote Richard Burton again it is "warm but not hot, cool but not cold."

The rainy season lasts from June to September. The annual average rainfall varies between 700-800 mm. and the temperature between 12.60 C and 260 C. Agriculture is the economic activities. The cash crop include the finest coffee, the high grade hides and skins, ground nuts, fruits and chat (cata adulis).

The many centuries of culture and "urbanity" have left innumerable historical memories and "relics". the gentle and ambient climate is extremely inviting to visitors for unforgettable memories. Sheikh Abadir is "Parton Saint" of Harar which is why it is known as the Abadir city. Abadir of course is one of the Holy men who set foot on the original settlement and blessed its foundation onto township. Many historians believe that it was Sheikh Abadir who gave the town its name Harar.