GEOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN (GEES

101)

INSTRUCTOR : Tsega
⦿ This course attempts to familiarize
you with the basic geographic
concepts particularly in relation to
Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

⦿ It is also intended to provide

you a sense of place and timethat
are pivotal in producing
knowledgeable
⦿ and competent citizens that are
able to comprehend and analyze
problems and contribute to their
solutions.
 Contents of the course
UNIT 0NE- Introduction-geography, Location,
Shape & Size, & Basic Skills of Map Reading

UNIT Two- The Geology of Ethiopia and the Horn

UNIT Three -The Topography of Ethiopia and
The Horn

UNIT Four- Drainage Systems & Water Resource of

Ethiopia & the Horn
UNIT FIVE Climate of Ethiopia and the horn
UNIT Six- Soils, Natural Vegetation and
Wildlife Resources of Ethiopia and
The Horn

UNIT Seven- - Population of Ethiopia and the Horn

UNIT Eight- Economic Activities In Ethiopia

 Unit
One
1. Geography: Definition, Scope and
Themes
1. Meaning of Geography
⦿ It is difficult to forward a definition acceptable to all
geographers at all times due to the dynamic nature
of the subject and its scope.
⦿ Most people think that geography is only
a study of certain physical features such
as place names, lengths of rivers, and
the like

⦿ Others think that geography studies

the physical earth. However, it is
 Definiti
on
⦿ Geography is the scientific study of the Earth
that describes and analyses spatial and
temporal variations of physical, biological
and human phenomenon, and their
interrelationships and dynamism over the
surface of the Earth.
1.1.2 Scope , Approaches and Themes of
Geography
Scope –the areal dimention or the extent of interest in
a certain subject i.e. how the content of a given
discipline is broad or narrow.

1. Lithosphere -the solid portion (layer) of the earth.

2. Hydrosphere - all water bodies of earth’s surface,

including the seas and water in the atmosphere.

3. Biosphere - the whole area of earth’s surface,

atmosphere, and sea i.e inhabited by living organisms.

4. Troposphere - the near surfacelayer of the atmosphere

where
weather changes occur.

5. Anthroposphere- the cultural landscape created by man

 Approaches in
⦿ Geography
Geography can be approached by considering a
topical-regional continuum
A. Systematic /Topical/ Approach
⦿ It is the study of single or specific or particular phenomenon
over
the Earth For example: Soil geography, Population geography, etc.
B. Regional Geography
⦿ It is the study of all or some phenomena in a particular
or given area.
⦿ It provides a complete understanding about the total
characteristics
of a region.
⦿ It studies small relatively homogeneous area.
Geography has five basic
themes
1. Location is a particular place or
position ( Absolute and relative).
2. Place refers to the physical and
human aspects of a location.
It is associated with the name, features , the
environmental conditions of the place.
 themes
cont’n
3. Human-Environment Interaction: involves three distinct
aspects:

. Dependency- refers to the ways in which humans are dependent on nature for a living.
Adaptation- relates to how humans modify themselves, their lifestyles and their
behavior to live in a new environment with new challenges
Modification-allowed humans to “conquer” the world for their comfortable living and
desirable end.

4. Movement: of people, goods and ideas

5. Region

• A geographic area having distinctive characteristics that

distinguishes itself from adjacent unit(s) of space.
o Formal region that is characterized by homogeneity in terms of a
certain phenomenon (soil, temperature, rainfall, or other cultural
elements like language, religion, and economy).
o Functional or nodal region characterized by functional
interrelationships in a spatial system defined by the linkages
binding particular phenomena.
 1.2 Location, Shape and Size of
Ethiopia and the Horn
⦿ Where is the Horn located? Which part of Africa
is called the Horn?

⦿ The Horn of Africa, a region of eastern

Africa, is a narrow tip that overhang into
the northern Indian Ocean, separating it
from the Gulf of Aden.

⦿ In terms of size, Ethiopia is the largest of all the

Horn of African countries, while Djibouti is the
smallest.
⦿
 1.2.1 Location of
Ethiopia
⦿ Can you state the relative and absolute locations of
Ethiopia?

1. Absolute (Astronomical) Location –

is the exact location of a place explained
in terms of
parallels of Latitude and meridians of Longitude
⦿ The Absolute location of Ethiopia is 30N- 150N (Latitude) and
330E-
480E (longitude)
⦿ Thus, the northern most tip of Ethiopia is 150N (Badime-)
⚫ The southernmost tip is 30N( Moyale)
⚫ the Eastern most tip is 480E( Ogaden)
⚫ the western most tip is 330E(Akobo)
⦿ The east west distance (150) is longer than
the north-south distance (120).

 Due to its latitudinal extension the country

experiences tropical climate

 and due to its longitudinal extension there is

a difference of one hour between the most
easterly and most westerly points of the
country.
⦿ Generally, the country is situated at
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone +3.
2. Relative location –
expresses the location of countries or
places with reference to the location of other
countries , landmasses or water bodies.
The implications of the Location of
Ethiopia
⦿ Climate: Ethiopia has a tropical climate due to
location,
though modified by its altitude.
⦿ Socio-cultural: The linguistic and other cultural
relationships, which Ethiopia shares with its
neighbours, reflect the influence of location.i.e its
⦿ proximity
Political: to the Middle
The East
political history of
Ethiopia has been considerably influenced
by:
⦿ Geopolitical considerations of superpowers.
⦿ Adjacency to the Red Sea (a major global trade
route).Ethiopia has been exposed for external
⦿ As a result,
invasionsTheinMiddle
a number
East of times; though
geopolitical the country
paradigms.
resisted foreign intervention and remains free of
external domination.
Country Location Boundary
Line (km)
-S u da n and West 1750
South S u d a n
-Somalia South – East 1600
-Eritrea North 840
-Kenya South 760
-Djibouti East 310
 Size of
⦿ Ethiopia: Ethiopia

 A total area of approximately 1,106,000SK

 Is the 8th largest country in Africa and 25th in the World.
 Its East-West extension is about 1,639 kilometers, and
1,577 kilometers North-South.
 About 0.7% of the country is covered by water bodies &
about 3.6 percent of Africa’s land mass.
 The size of Ethiopia also affects both the natural and
human environment of the country
 Relative Location of Ethiopia

 Relative location can be expressed in vicinal and geological terms.

 Ethiopia is a landlocked country that is surrounded by five
neighboring countries.
Each country shares different lengths of Ethiopia’s borderlines. The total
length of Ethiopia’s boundary line is 5260 km.
 Sudan shares the longest length of boundary line, followed by
Somalia.
 The Republic of Djibouti shares the smallest boundary line length
 Countries of the Horn of Africa Total Area (in km2)

Djibouti 23,200

Ethiopia 1,106,000

Somalia 637,661

Eritrea 118,000

Total 1,884,861
Advantages and disadvantages of Ethiopia's large size
 Shape of
⦿
Ethiopia
It has great implication on the socio-
economic integration and flow of goods
and services within each region.
⦿ Shapes affect each country‘s
administration, defence and economic
integration, both within the country and in
respect to outside areas.
⦿ Ethiopia has almost a circular (compact)
shape. This means that the Ethiopia’s
longest east-west and north-south distances
are almost the same.
⦿ Or there is slight difference between
longitudinal extent and latitudinal extent
 The shape of Ethiopia and its Implication

 Countries of the World have different kinds of shape that

can be divided into five main categories:
Compact,
Fragmented,
Elongated,
Perforated, and
Protruded.
 These shapes have implications on defense, administration
and economic integration within a country.
Compact
 States have relatively equal
distances from their center to
any boundary, much like a
circle.
 They are often regarded
as efficient states. An
example of a compact
state would be Kenya,
Poland,
 It is easier for:
 defence,
 socioeconomic ,and
 cultural integration.

Kenya

35
Elongated shape countries
 This type of states have a long and
narrow shape.
 The major problem with these states
is with internal communication,
which causes isolation of towns from
the capital city.
 Vietnam and Chile are examples of
this.

Chile
36
Perforated shape countries

A country that completely

surrounds another country like

the Republic of South Africa.

 A great example of this is

Lesotho, which is a

sovereign state within South

Africa.
Lesotho 37
Fragmented shape countries

 They are divided from their other

parts by either water, land or other

countries.

 Exist when a state is separated.

Sometimes large bodies of water can

fragment a state.

 Indonesia and Greece are examples

of a fragmented state.
38
 Protrude shape countries
 Countries that have one

portion that is much more

elongated than the rest of

the country like Myanmar

and Eritrea.
Basic Skills of Map Reading
What is a Map?
A map is a two-dimensional scaled representation of part or
whole of the Earth surface on a flat body such as piece of
paper, black board, wood or cloth.
Primary tools for displaying and analyzing spatial
distributions, patterns and relations.
Map reading encompasses a systematic identification of
natural features and manmade features.
 Natural features include mountains, plateaus, hills, valleys, river,
ocean, rocks, plain etc.
 Manmade features include roads, railway, buildings, dam etc
MGHAMA Geog1053 40
Types of Map
a. Topographical maps: Topographic maps depict one or more natural
and cultural features of an area.
 They could be small, medium or large scale depending on the size of
the area represented.
 Contents of topographical maps depend on purpose of a map, scale of
a map, date of compilation, and nature of the land represented.
b. Special purpose/statistical maps: These are maps, which show
distribution of different aspects such as temperature, rainfall, settlement,
vegetation etc.
Topographic map of Addis
Ababa and its surrounding
⦿
Population Distribution
of the world
Based on scale, maps can be
classified into three
⚫ Large scale maps  1: 50,000. e.g. 1:1000; 1:2,500;
1:5000; 1:10,000 and are used when we want to
represent higher levels of detail showing small areas

⚫ Medium scale maps between 1:50,000 to 1:250,000.

e.g 1:50,000; 1: 75,000; 1:100,000 and are used
for maps of medium sized areas.

⚫ Small scale maps  1:250,000 e.g smaller such as

1:2,000,000; 1:6,000,000; 1:20,000,000 and are used
for maps of wide areas. Such maps are used when
much detail is not required.
⦿ Large scale maps are better for
showing small areas because
large scale shows a great detail
of an area whereas small scale
map shows a large area with less
detail
Marginal Information on Maps
(Elements of Maps)
⦿ A map should have the following information. This includes:
⦿ Title: It is the heading of the given map which tells
what the
map is all about.
⦿ Key (legend): It is the list of all convectional
symbols and signs
⦿ Scale: It is the ratio between the distance on the
map and
the actual ground distance..
⦿ North arrow: It is indicated with the
north direction on a map;
⦿ Margin: Is the frame of the map. It is
important for showing the end of the mapped area.
⦿ Date of map publication. This enables map users to
realize
whether the map is updated or outdated.
 CHAPTER TWO

⦿ THE GEOLOGY OF ETHIOPIA AND THEHORN

⦿ Alfred Wegener’s drift Theor
Continental
proposed that wer y
assembled
the together continen
asa e
single onc
huge continentts called Pangaea. e

⦿ Later on during Mesozoic era, split into

Gondwanaland( Southern part) where Africa is a
part and Laurasia ( Northern part);
⦿ and later into smaller fragments over the last
million years.
1. Pangaea: It was a massive landmass that included all of the
continents we know today, including Africa, South America,
North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. The
breakup of Pangaea led to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and
the separation of the continents as we know them today

2. Gondwanaland: Gondwanaland was a southern

supercontinent. it included what is now Africa, South America,
Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar, and the Indian subcontinent.
Gondwanaland leading to the formation of the Indian Ocean and
the separation of the continents.

3. Laurasia: Laurasia was a northern supercontinent .It included

what is now North America, Europe, and Asia. Laurasia leading
to the formation of the Arctic Ocean and the separation of the
continents.
Evidences of continental drift
theory:
⦿ Fit of the continents (Similarity in
coast line)
⦿ Match of mountain belts, rock types:
⦿ Distribution of fossils:.
⦿ Paleoclimates
 •

1. Structural- Fit of the continents (Similarity in coast

line)
⦿ The opposing coastlines of continents often fit
together like puzzle pieces
 Wegener’s Evidence……
3.2.Match of mountain belts, rock types: If the continents are reassembled as Pangaea,
mountains in West Africa, North America, Greenland, and Western Europe match up.

Some mountain ranges on different continents seem to match Ex: ranges

in Canada match Norway and Sweden
○ Ex: Appalachian Mtn. match UK mtn
 Wegener’s Evidence……

3. Palaeontological- Distribution of
fossils:
•The distribution of plants and animal
fossils on separate continents forms
definite linked patterns if the
continents are reassembled.
•fossils are remains of living things
that lived long ago.
•similar fossils have been discovered
in matching coastlines on different
continents.
 Wegener’s Evidence……
4. Paleoclimatic- : rocks formed 200 million years ago in India,
Australia, South America, and southern Africa all exhibited evidence of
continental glaciations.
2.2. The Geologic
Processes
⚫ The landforms are the work of two
forces:
⚫ Internal (Endogenic) Forces
⚫ External (Exogenic) Forces
 I. Internal (Endogenic)
Forces
⚫ Forces that come from the inside of the earth i.e
volcanic activity and tectonic forces.

⚫ These forces create irregularities (ups and

downs) on the surface of the earth by folding,
faulting, orogenesis (mountain building), and
epeirogenesis (slow rising and sinking of the
landmass).

⚫ These processes result in plateaus, rift valleys,

Block Mountains, volcanic mountains, etc.
 Example of internal force

⦿ Folding volcanic eruption

 II. External (Exogenic)
forces
⦿ are geomorphic processes act on the
surface of the earth from outside.
⦿ They include weathering, mass
transfer, erosion and deposition.
⦿ They act upon the volcanic and
structural landforms by modifying,
roughening and lowering them down.
⦿ The main agents of the external forces
are
 Example of External (Exogenic)
forces
⦿ N.B. It is a combination of these
forces that created the existing
landforms of the Ethiopia and Horn
of Africa.
 2.3 The Geological Time
scale use Geological Time
⦿ Geologists
Scale (GTS) to study geology.
⦿ GTS is a chronological account of
what happens when and where.
⦿ The GTS shows the age of the
earth
⦿ Geological time is difficult to
measure precisely as events
that took place in the remote past
when no one was around to
⦿ The earth is assumed to be
formed 4.5 billion years ago.
⦿ The earliest forms of life were
thought to have originated
approximately 3.5 billion years
ago.

⦿ After the formation of the

earth, four geological eras are
observed.
 Age Dating
⚫ There areTechniques
two techniques of knowing the
age of rocks:
Relative and absolute age
dating

⚫ 1.Relative age dating uses geological

evidence to assign comparative ages of
fossils.

two ways to know it:

⚫ A. look at any fossils the rock may
contain.
⚫ B."What is on top of the older rocks?"
When you find layers of rocks in a cliff
Relative age dating
⚫ 2. Absolute Dating /Also known as Radiometric
techniques

⚫ Radioactive elements such as uranium (U) and

thorium (Th) decay naturally to form different
elements or isotopes of the same element.
⚫
⚫ Every radioactive element has its own half-life.

⚫ Two of the major techniques include:

⚫ A. Carbon-14 Technique: for example, it has half-life of

5730
years.

⚫ B. Potassium-Argon Technique:
2.4. Geological Processes and the
Resulting Landforms of Ethiopia
and the H⚫ orn
⚫ There are 4 different eras depending on:-
⚫ The Relative Position Of Land And
Sea,
⚫ The Kind Of Climate And
⚫ Animal and Plant Life
⚫
⚫ Precambrian era: 4.6 billion-600 million
⚫ Paleozoic era: 600 million-225 million
⚫ Mesozoic era: 225 million-70 million
⚫ Cenozoic era: 70 million-present
1. The Precambrian
era
⦿ The oldest and longest era
⦿ covers 5/6th of the Earth‟s history.
⦿ Too much is not known on what
happens
⦿ rich in metallic minerals like gold
⚫ The major geologic
event of the
Precambrian Era
were
⚫ Orogenesis: the formation of
mountains by horizontal movement
(the major geological event)

⚫ Volcanism: movement of molten

materials known as magma. When it
reaches the surface it is called lava.

⚫ Rock formation: the basement

complex rocks
were the first rocks formed on the
surface of earth.
⚫ The Precambrian rocks in Ethiopia covers
25% of the surface

Currently they are found exposed the surface in

the following areas:

1. In the northern part: Western lowlands, parts of

northern and central Tigray.
2 In the western Part: Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz
. (Metekel and Asossa), western Gojjam, western Wellega,
Illuababora, and Abay gorge.
3 In the southern Part: Guji, southern Omo, and parts of
. southern Bale and Borena.
4 In the eastern part: Eastern Hararghe.
.
The Paleozoic Era (600 -
225)
⚫ lasted for about 375 million years.
⚫ the age of invertebrates

⚫ Two common geological events:

⚫ 1. Denudation (eroding or lowering of land due

to
prolonged erosion) and
⚫ 2. Peneplation (making the land level or plain
surface)

⚫ Because of the limited deposition within

Ethiopia,
rocks belonging to this Era are rare in the
country.
The Mesozoic Era

⚫ Major Events in the horn of Africa were:-

A. The sinking and uplifting

or rising (epeirogenesis) of the
landmass.

 This process affected the

whole present-day Horn
of Africa and Arabian landmass.
 At the same time the land was tilted
eastward and therefore lower in the
southeast and higher in the northwest.

B. Sedimentary rock formation

⦿ As the depth of the sea increased,
mud (shale), gypsum and later
lime were deposited.

⦿ The latter is associated with the

flourishing of marine life and
decaying and precipitating of their
remains, as the sea stayed long.
⦿ Hence, Mesozoic rocks are
considered to have the greatest
⦿ Due to the tilting of the landmass
during the transgression and
regression of the sea, and due to
the direction of the invading and
retreating sea,

⦿ the age and thickness of the

Sandstone layers vary in a
Southeast - Northwest direction.
Mesozoic era is sub divided in to 3
periods
⦿ 1. Triassic period(225 million years): During the Triassic
period, the Horn of Africa began to sink because of
internal force and this was followed by the invasion
(transgression) of sea water from Indian Ocean.
⦿ These formed the old sedimentary rock on the Ethiopian land
surface known as Adigrat Sand Stone (Lower sand stone).
⦿ 2. Jurassic period (180 million years) : the invading sea
water becomes stabilized and the 2nd layer (Hintalo
lime stone )formed.

⦿ 3. Cretaceous period(70 million years): the

water
retreated/regretted back and upper sand stone formed
 The Cenozoic Era
⦿ The recent era
⦿ The tectonic and volcanic activities that took place in this
Era have an important effect in the making of the present
Day landmass of Ethiopia and the horn
The main geological activities that
took place during this era are
⦿ The uplifting of the Arabo-Ethiopian
land mass
and out pouring of huge quantity of lava
⦿ B. Formation of the Rift Valley.
⦿ C. Quaternary volcanism and
deposition.
⦿ Cenozoic Era is sub divided into
two periods
⚫ Tertiary period (70 million to 1
million)
⚫ Quaternary period (1 million to
resent)
 Tertiary period (70 million to 1
million)
The common geological events in Ethiopia

⚫ The uplifting of Ethiopian landmass:

Ethiopia gets its present land form during tertiary

period of Cenozoic Era.

⚫ Formationof rift valley: the formation of rift

valley separates Ethiopian landmass into
eastern and western highlands.
⚫ The blocks on both sides of the valley form
plateau.
⚫ The Ethiopian Rift Valley is part of the Great
East African Rift system that extends from
Palestine- Jordan in the north to Malawi-
Mozambique in the south( it has about 7,200
⚫ kilometers).
In Africa, it is about 5600 kilometers
long.
⚫ 1,700 kilometers in Eritrea and
Ethiopia. the
⚫ unstable
the Kobarpart of the
Sink liescountry.
here. most
⚫ The Rift Valley region of Ethiopian
is
⚫ The formation of the Rift Valley has the following structural
(physiographic) effects:

1. It divides the Ethiopian Plateau into two.

2. It separates the Arabian landmass from
African landmass.
3. It causes the formation of the Dead Sea, Red
Sea and the Gulf of Aden troughs.
4. It creates basins and fault depressions on
which the
Rift Valley lakes are formed.
 Quaternary Volcanic Eruptions and
⦿ Depositions
The common geological events were:
Eden lave series and deposition
⦿ Pluvial quaternary: The common
geological event
⦿ During quaternary period, the earth
experienced a marked climatic change
i.e. it was cooled down.
⦿ As a result, heavy rains known as
‘Pluvial rain’ formed in Africa (lower
latitude). Besides, it formed glacier in
the middle and higher latitude because
of slanting sun rays.
⦿ After the Pluvial Rain, the Earth‟s
climate became warmer and drier.
⦿ Thus, it increased the rate of
evaporation that diminished the
sizes of the lakes.
⦿ Today, there are lacustrine deposits of
continental origin around many of the
Ethiopian lakes, river valleys and
lowlands.
⦿ During this time the present rift valley
lakes were large and deeper and form
one big lake. Particularly, Langano,
Shalla and Abyata lakes were merged.
⦿ Later on the current rift valley lakes of
Ethiopia formed
⦿ According to the place and manner of
deposition and depositing agents
deposits are divided in to the
following:

⦿ a. Lacustrine deposits: Deposits on

former lakebeds, and swampy
depressions.
⦿ b. Fluvial deposits: Deposits on the banks
of rivers, flood plains both in plateau,
⦿ c. Glacio-fluvial deposits and
erosional features: These are occurred
on high mountains, like Bale
Mountains.
⦿ d. Aeolian deposits: Are windblown
deposits.
⦿ e. Coastal and marine deposits:
Deposits on sea invaded and
sea- covered places.
⦿ The quaternary deposits are mainly
found in the Rift Valley (Afar and Lakes
Region), Baro lowlands, southern
Borena, and parts of northwestern low
lands.
⦿ Generally, the Cenozoic rocks cover
50% of the land mass of the country.

⦿ These include Tertiary as well as

Quaternary
2.5 Rock and Mineral
Resources of Ethiopia
⦿ Geological surveys proved that
Ethiopia has abundant mineral
resources of metals and precious
metals, coal, and industrial
minerals.
⦿ Gold
⦿ Gold has been mined in Ethiopia in
different places, mainly from
Benishangul-Gumuz (Metekel) and
Adola.

⦿ Platinum
⦿ The Yubdo area in Wellega, is the only
active Ethiopian Platinum mine.
⚫ Construction stones

⚫ Basalt,granite, limestone and

sandstone are important building
stones. For the surfacing of roads and
compaction, basalt, and other volcanic
rocks are extensively used.
⚫ Mesozoic limestone is an important
raw material for cement and chalk
production.
⚫ Clay
⚫ Ethiopiais endowed with industrial clay
material. Alluvial clay deposits for
bricks, pottery and pipe industry occur
in Adola, Abay gorge, and the Rift
Valley lakes region.

⚫ Ceramic clay for the production of

glasses, plates, bricks is found at
Ambo and Adola.
⚫ Marble

⚫ Crystalline
limestone is widespread in
the basement rocks of Ethiopia.
Marble has been mined in west of
Mekelle and
south of Adwa in Tigray.
⚫ Tantalum : Significant deposit of
tantalum is found in southern
Ethiopia. It used for electrolytic
capacitor.

⚫ Lignite :Lignite deposits in Ethiopia

are found in Nedjo (Wellega) and
in Chilga (Gonder)
⚫
⚫ Potash
⚫ The potash reserve in the Danakil (Dallol
Depression)

⚫ Gypsum and Anhydrite

⚫ A limited amount of gypsum is produced for
domestic consumption in Ethiopia, mainly for
the cement industry, but very large deposits
are known to occur in sedimentary
formations of the Red Sea coastal area,
Danakil Depression, Ogaden, Shewa, Gojjam,
Tigray, and Hararghe.
⚫
2.5.2. Mineral Potential
Sites of Ethiopia
⚫ 1. The Western and South-western-greenstone belt:

⚫ Theycontain various minerals: primary gold occurrences;

Yubdo Platinum, Base metals ,the iron deposits

⚫ 2.The Southern greenstone belt: It is known as the

Adola belt, which comprises the primary gold deposits and
the Adola nickel deposit and other industrial minerals.

⚫ 3. The Northern greenstone belt(Tigray):

⚫ Thisbelt comprises of the primary gold occurrences.

And The base metals
 CHAPTER THREE
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND
THE HORN
⦿ The topography of Ethiopia is largely determined
by the geologic activities of the Cenozoic Era.
⦿ The uplifting of the Arabo-Ethiopian and the
subsequent outpouring of Trapean lava have given
rise to an outward sloping highland plateau and
mountains.
⦿ The faulting resulted in the division of the plateau
into two broad units and the formation of a great
structural valley.
⦿ They also formed depressions on which lakes were
subsequently created.
⦿ Geomorphic processes result in roughening on
the highlands, and deposition on the lower areas.
General Characteristics of the
Ethiopian Physiography
⦿ The Ethiopian landform is
characterized by great diversity.
There are
⦿ flat-topped plateaus,
⦿ high and rugged mountains,
⦿ river gorges and
⦿ vast plains.
⦿ Altitude ranges from Kobar Sink(125m.b.s.l)
to Ras
Dashen (4,620 m.a.s.l), which is the 4th highest
in Africa.
⦿ These high plateau and mountain
ranges are sources of many rivers
and streams that made the country
to be described as the “Water Tower
of East Africa”.

⦿ The diverse topography result in

differences in natural features such
as( soil, climate, vegetation and wild
life), and the socio- cultural and
economic phenomena
⦿ 1,000 meters contour line is used
for the highland-lowland
demarcation
⦿ highlands make up nearly 56% of the
area of the Ethiopia.
⦿ Ethiopian landmass above 1,500
meters makes 44% of the country.
Characteristics of Ethiopian
highlands:
⦿ Moderate and high amount of rainfall (>600 mm
per year).
⦿ Attractive for human habitation and densely
settled
⦿ Lower mean annual temperature (< 200 C).
⦿ The climate is favourable for biotic life.
⦿ Rain-fed agriculture is possible.
⦿ Free from tropical diseases.
⦿ Attractive for human habitation and densely
settled.
Lowlands are
characterized by:
⦿ Fewer amounts of rainfall and
higher temperature.
⦿ High prevalence of tropical
diseases.
⦿ Lower population densities.
⦿ Nomadic and semi-nomadic
economic life.
⦿ Vast plain lands favourable for
irrigation agriculture along the lower
river basins
3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of
Ethiopia
⦿ The Geophysical setting of Ethiopia
is generally characterized by
highland in the center
circumscribed by the lowlands.
In other words, the highland core is
encircled by semi-arid and
lowlands.
1. The Western Highlands and
Lowlands
⦿ This includes all the area west of
the Rift Valley.
⦿ It makes up about 44% of the
area of the country.
⦿ The land gradually descends in
altitude until it merges into the
western foothills and lowlands,
along the Sudan and South Sudan
border.
⦿ Western HLs and Lls region is further
subdivided into four groups of
highlands (76.3%) and four groups
of lowlands (23.7%)
⦿ The Plateau of Tigray
⦿ The North Central
Massifs
⦿ The Plateau of Shewa
⦿ The Southwestern
Highland
1. THE TIGRIAN
PLATEAU
⦿ Found in the northern part of Tigray.

⦿ The Tigray plateau is separated from the

Eritrean plateau by the Mereb River. It lies
to the southeast of the Mereb River and to
the northeast of Tekeze River.

⦿ It constitutes about 13% of the area of the

region.
⦿ It is an area composed largely of
sandstones and limestones, as the
overlying basalt have been eroded. As a
result, the soils are poor and thin.
⦿ The plateau has been exposed to severe
erosion due to long periods of human
inhabitation.
⦿ There are mountains over 3000 meters
above sea level. Three of these are:
⦿ Mount Tsibet – 3988 m.a.s.l
⦿ Mount Ambalage – 3291 m.a.s.l
⦿ Mount Assimba – 3248 m.a.s.l
ii. THE NORTH CENTRAL
MOUNTAINS
⦿ This is the largest in the western highlands
⦿ 58% of the region is at an altitude of more than 2,000
meters. making it, next to the Shewan Plateau, the second
highest physiographic division
⦿ The Abay ,Tekeze and their tributaries have cut into this
region and formed gorges and steep sided river
valleys,
⦿ Out of the 26 mt. peaks with altitude of >
4,000m.a.s.l in Ethiopia, 19 mt. peaks are found in this
physiographic region.
⦿ The Semein Mountain- This is the highest peak in Ethiopia,
eg.
Ras Dashen (4620 metres).
 accommodates the Lake Tana basin

The region consists of the Gonder, Wello and Gojjam

Massifs.
THE WESTERN
LOWLANDS
⦿ These lowlands constitute narrow
stretches of land which descends
towards the Ethio- Sudanese border.
⦿ The general elevation ranges between
500 and 1000 meters above sea
level.
⦿ With the exception of the Baro lowland,
the region is generally characterized by
arid or semi-arid conditions.
THE WESTERN
LOWLANDS
⦿ These lowlands are named after the major
rivers that drain over them.
⦿ 1. The Tekeze Low land- drained by R. Tekeze
⦿ 2. The Abay Dinder Lowland- It stretches from
the town of Metema up to the southern part
of Abay.
⦿ 3. The Baro lowland- is largest and the
wettest lowland.
⦿ 4. The Ghibe Lowland- is drained by river
Ghibe and includes the lower part of Ghibe
up to L.Turkana.
2. The Southeastern
Highlands and Lowlands
⦿ This physiographic region is the second
largest in terms of area.
⦿ It accounts for 37% of the area of
Ethiopia.
⦿ The highlands make up 46% of the
physiographic division while the rest is
lowland.
⦿ the land gradually descends
southeastward into the southeastern
lowlands and then to the plains of
⦿ The Arsi highlands are separated from the Bale
highlands by river Wabi Shebelle.

⦿ - The Arsi highlands are characterized

by: ⦿ - Flat rolling uplands
⦿ - Dissected mountain ranges
⦿ - Degraded extinct central volcanoes
⦿ - The Bale high lands: are characterized by:
⦿ Platform looking basaltic plateau in the north central.
⦿ High mountain massif to the south.

⦿ The Arsi-Bale Highlands are important grains producing areas

with
still high potential.
The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands…..
⦿ The Sidama Highlands are separated
from the Bale Highlands by the
Ghenale river valley.

⦿ They occupy the southwestern

corner of this region. The
prominent feature here is the
Jemjem plateau, an important
coffee growing area.
 THE SOUTH EASTERN
LOWLANDS

⦿ Because of the harsh climatic conditions,

are
these little used
lowlands and support very
small
population(sparsely inhabited) by pastoral
and pastoral communities. semi-

⦿ The economic potential for this region includes animal

husbandry, irrigation agriculture and perhaps
exploitation of petroleum and natural gas.
 The Rift Valley is further subdivided
into three physiographic sub-regions.
Afar Triangle , Main Ethiopian Rift and The Chew Bahir Rift

1. The Afar Triangle

⦿ It is the largest and widest part of the Rift Valley.
⦿ It makes up 54% of the Rift Valley area.
⦿ The area is generally of low
altitude (300-700 meters) so generally hot
and dry.
⦿ Lakes (Abe, Asale, and Afrera) occupy some of these
basins.
⦿ A prominent feature in this region is the Denakil Depression
 2. The Main Ethiopian
Rift/Central
⦿ The Rift
narrowbelt of the R. Valleythatextends from
Awash
River in the north to Lake Chamo in the south.
It is the narrowest and the highest.
⦿ It has an average width of 50-80 kms and general
elevation of 1,000-2,000 meters.
⦿ The floor in many places is dotted by cinder(ash)
cones and volcanic mountains.
⦿ The big ones include Mount Fentale,
Boseti-guda(near Adama), and so on
⦿ The prominent features, however, are the
numerous lakes formed on tectonic sags and fault
depressions.
⦿ Because of altitude, the lakes region of
the Main Ethiopian Rift is generally
milder slope and watery. Here rain-
fed agriculture is practiced.
⦿ Other resource bases include the
recreational value of the lakes, the
agricultural importance of some streams
and lakes, and the geothermal energy
potential.
3. The Chew Bahir Rift

⦿ This is the smallest and the southern-

most part of the Rift Valley.
⦿ The characteristic feature of this region
is the broad and shallow depression,
which is a marshy area covered by tall
grass
3.3. The Impacts of Relief on
Biophysical and Socioeconomic
Conditions
⦿ 1. Agricultural practices
⦿ Relief influences Choice of farming
techniques and farm implements
⦿ i.e crop production as some corps are
well adapted to higher altitudes (barley,
wheat) and others to low altitude
(sorghum, maize).
⦿ The practice of animal husbandry , sheep
and the like are reared in the higher
altitudes and camels and goat are well
adapted to lower altitudes
2. Settlement pattern
Highlands of Ethiopia are densely settled.
And characterized by sedentary life and
permanent settlement while lowlands that
are inhabited by pastoralists have
temporary settlements.
3. Transportation and communication

⦿ The difficult terrain makes infrastructure development and

maintenance costly.
⦿ TV and radio communications are also highly influenced
by relief.
⦿ The rough topography rendered rivers less navigable
due to the waterfalls, deep gorges and steep cliffs.
4. Hydroelectric power potential
⦿ The great difference in altitude
coupled with high rainfall created suitable
conditions for a very high potential for the
production of hydroelectric power in
Ethiopia.
5. Socio-cultural feeling
⦿ The rugged terrain as a result of excessive
surface gap resulted in the long-term
isolation of communities that led to the
occurrence of cultural diversity.
6. Impacts on climate
⦿ Highlands with higher amount of rainfall
and lower rate of evapo-transpiration
tend to be moisture surplus compared to
the moisture deficit lowlands.
7. Impacts on soil and natural vegetation
⦿ Relief through its effect on climate and
hydrology affect the type of natural
vegetation grown in an area.
 CHAPTER
FOUR
⦿ DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WATER
RESOURCE OF ETHIOPIA AND THE
HORN
 A river system begins at a place called the source or
headwater and ends at a point called mouth
Some of the Ethiopian rivers are given new
names after they cross the country’s borders.
Examples:
 River Abbay becomes Blue Nile in the
Sudan.
 River Tekezze becomes River Athbara in
the Sudan.
 River Ghenalle becomes River Juba in
Somalia.
 River Baro becomes River Sobat in the
Sudan.