English
Español
中文
हिन्दी
FrançaisGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment of Ethiopia
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Ethiopia.
Overview
Ethiopia, part of the Horn of Africa, borders Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti. It has an area of 1,127,127 square kilometers, slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Only 12% of the total land area is arable, with about 85% of the people dependent on agriculture or animal husbandry for subsistence. The terrain consists of high plateaus, mountains, and dry lowland plains. Ethiopia has some of the world’s most rugged and beautiful scenery. Changes in vegetation and terrain offer striking differences and are readily apparent when traveling in any direction from Addis Ababa. Fertile farmland, high mountains with crater lakes, deep canyons and abysses, low-lying savannas, and deserts are some of the many aspects of Ethiopia’s topography.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
- Climate
- The climate varies from temperate in the highlands to hot in the lowlands. Addis Ababa’s altitude is above 8,000 feet. Addis Ababa has two primary seasons: a dry season from October to February, and for the rest of the year, a rainy season, divided into "small rains" and "big rains." The small rains, February through April, are generally intermittent showers. The big rains, June through September or longer, usually bring heavy daily precipitation. The big rains are rarely continuous, and sunny mornings or afternoons can be expected on many days. Average annual rainfall in Addis Ababa is 50 inches. Daytime temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. The dry season has bright, sunny days with moderate to cool temperatures; nights are chilly. The average daily temperature in Addis Ababa is 62.9ºF. Daytime temperatures are rarely above 80ºF. Sharp drops in temperature occur in late afternoon, sometimes making outside entertainment uncomfortable after 5 p.m. Night temperatures drop to the low 40’s from November to January and are warmer in the period from February to May.
- Weather Patterns
- http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/ETXX0001?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
- Highest Point
- 4620 — Ras Dejen 4,620 m
- Lowest Point
- -125 — Denakil Depression -125 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- slightly less than twice the size of Texas
- Border Countries
- Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower
- Natural Hazards
- geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management
- International Agreements
- Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea