Chapter Three

The Topography of Ethiopia and the Horn

• In the Cenozoic Era, two major geologic
activities happened in Ethiopia and the Horn.
These include:
• a) The uplifting of Arabo-Ethiopian landmass
• b) Faulting that resulted in the formation of
Great East African Rift Valley system
• Overall, these events determined the current
topographic features (e.g., Mountains, Valleys,
and drainage systems ) of Ethiopia and the
Horn.
General Characteristics of the Ethiopian Physiography
 The Ethiopian landform is characterized by great diversity; :
flat-topped plateaus, high and rugged mountains, deep river
gorges and vast plains.
_Altitude ranges from 125 meters b.s.l (Kobar Sink) to 4,620
meter a.s.l (Ras Dashen).
 Ethiopia has the largest proportion of elevated landmass in the
Africa (Roof of East Africa)
_More than 50% of the Ethiopian landmass is above 1,000
meters of elevation;
_Above 1,500 meters makes 44% of the country, of which ½ is
at more than 2000m a.s.l.
 Most of the Ethiopian Highlands are part of central & northern
Ethiopia.
- Encircled by semi-arid & lowlands.
-Dissected by several rivers, most are sources of
many rivers & streams (Water Tower of [Link]).
 The diversity in topography is accompanied by
differences in other natural features
- Variation in soil, climate, vegetation & wild
life.
- Socio-cultural & economic phenomena are
also affected by the topography.
 1,000-meter contour line is mostly used for the
highland-lowland demarcation.
Characteristics of Ethiopian highlands (56%)
• Moderate & high amount of rainfall (>600 mm per
year).
• Lower mean annual temperature (<20 degree. C).
• The climate is favorable for biotic life.
• Rain-fed agriculture is possible.
• Free from tropical diseases.
• Attractive for human habitation & densely settled.
• have been significant throughout Ethiopian history
in the economic, cultural & political life of the
people.
• These highlands make up nearly 56% of the area of
the Ethiopia. This is further subdivided into:
-lower highland (1,000 - 2,000 m.a.s.l), which make up
35% &
-higher highland (>2,000 m.a.s.l) constituting nearly
22%.
Characteristics of Ethiopian lowlands (44%)
• Fewer amounts of rainfall & but higher temperature.
• High prevalence of tropical diseases & Lower
population densities.
• Nomadic & semi-nomadic economic life.
• Vast plain lands favorable for irrigation agriculture
along the lower river basins.
 3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia
• Three major physiographic units can be
identified in Ethiopia.
1. The Western highlands & lowlands
2. The South-eastern (Eastern) highlands and
lowlands
3. The Rift Valley
all are results of Cenozoic geologic process.
Ethiopian Topography
 Fig. 3.2 The Tigrian Platue
Physiological
North Central Massif
classification Highlands
of Ethiopia by The Shewa Plateue/Central highlands
Chart Western
TheSouthwestern Highlands
highlands
& lowlands Tekeze Lowland
Abay/Dindr Lowland
Lowlands
Baro lowland

Ghibe lowland
Ethiopia’s
Physiological SE The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
Classification The South- Highlands
eastern The Hararghe Plateau
(Eastern)
highlands plains of Ogaden
& lowlands
SElow plains of Elkere
lands
plains of Boren
The Rift Afar Triangle
Valley Main Ethiopian Rif

Chew Bahir Rif

3.2.1. The Western Highlands and Lowlands
•The largest of the three physiographic regions (makes
up about 44% of the area of the country)
•This region is further subdivided into four groups of
highlands (76.3%) and four groups of lowlands (23.7%)
The Western Highlands
• This region is further subdivided into four groups of
highlands.
I. The Tigray Plateau:
•Extends from Tekeze gorge in the south to central
Eritrean highlands
•It includes: Tsibet mt. (3988m a.s.l), Ambalage (3291m
a.s.l), & Assimba (3248 m.a.s.l).
 [Link] Central Massifs:
• It is the largest in the western highlands
• Includes the high lands of Gojjam, Gondar and
Wollo.
• Simen Mountain System: mount Ras Dashen
(4,620 m.a.s.l), Mount Weynobar/Ancua (4462
m.a.s.l), Mount KidisYared (4453 m.a.s.l), and
Mount Bwahit (4437 m.a.s.l).
• Debre Tabor Mountain System: mount Guna
(4,231m.a.s.l), Abune Yoseph (4,260 m.a.s.l)
• Lasta highlands of Wello: mount Birhan (4,154
m.a.s.l)
• Gojjam System: Choke Mountain
 III. The Shewa Plateau/central highlands
– smallest of the Western highlands.
– tributaries of Abay, Omo, and Awash
– Mount Abuye-Meda (4,000 m.a.s.l) in Northern Shewa,
Mount Guraghe (3,721 meters) in the south.
IV. The South-western Highlands
– highlands of Wellega, Illuababora, Jimma, Kaffa, Gamo and
Gofa.
– the second largest in the Western highlands
– The southwestern plateau is the wettest in Ethiopia
– adjacent to Abay and Omo river valleys extends up to
Kenya border and Chew Bahir in the south.
– tributaries of Abay (Dabus, Deddessa), Baro, Akobo and the
Ghibe/Omo rivers
– Guge Mountain is the highest peak (4,200 meters)
 B. The Western Lowlands
– Along Ethio-Sudan boarder (General elevation 500-1000 me-
ters)
– They have arid and semi -arid climatic conditions
– People practiced nomadic & semi-nomadic way of life & irri-
gation agriculture
– four groups of lowlands western lowlands are:
I. Tekeze lowland
– Setitu Humera lowland
II. Abay-Dinder lowland
– Abay drainage areas
III. Baro lowland:
– Largest and wettest from western lowlands
– arid or semi-arid climate conditions.
– has an extensive flat area suitable for mechanized agriculture.
IV. Ghibe/Omo lowland
– which includes the lower Ghibe/Omo Valley and the northern
section of the Turkana basin.
 3.2.2. The South-eastern Highlands and
Lowlands
– the second largest in terms of area (accounts 37% of the
area of Ethiopia)
– The highlands make up 46% while 54% is lowland.
A. The South-eastern Highlands
I. The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
− Bale and Arsi highlands are separated by Wabishebelle.
− Mount Kaka (4,180 m.a.s.l), Mount Bada (4,139 m.a.s.l) and
Mount Chilalo (4,036 m.a.s.l), Tulu-Demtu (4,377 m.a.s.l) and
Mount Batu (4,307 m.a.s.l)
− Sidama and Bale Highlands are separated by Ghenale river.
− Jemjem plateau, an important coffee growing area
− Weyb River, tributary of Ghenale river, is important pass
though Sof Omar cave.
II. The Hararghe Plateau
− from the Chercher highlands in the south-west to Jigjiga
− Mount Gara-Muleta (3,381 m.a.s.l).
b)The Southeastern Lowlands
• the most extensive lowlands in Ethiopia, which
make up 54% of the area
• They include the plains of Ogaden, Elkere, and
Borena
• Because of harsh climate conditions, they are
sparsely inhabited by pastoral & semi-pastoral
communities.
• animal husbandry, irrigation agriculture and perhaps
exploitation of petroleum & natural gas.
• Southeastern Lowlands dividing in to two sub plains:
a) Wabishebelle plain (largest and hottest)
(60%)
b) Ghenale Plain (40%)
 3.2.3. The Rift Valley
– It covers 18% of the area of Ethiopia.
– Separated the Ethiopia highlands and lowlands into
two.
– The Rift Valley is further subdivided into three physio-
graphic sub-regions.
i. The Afar Triangle: largest and widest part of the Rift Valley
(54% of Rift valley)
• Danakil depression (Kobar Sink) and lakes (Abe, Asale and Afr-
era are well known in Afar). Dallol can exceed 50°C
• Characterized by faulted depressions (grabens), volcanic hills, ac-
tive volcanoes, volcanic ridges, lava fields and low lava plat-
forms.
• economic importance includes salt extraction, irrigation
along the Awash River and geothermal energy.
ii. The Main Ethiopian Rift/Central Rift
• Chamo, Arbaminch, Fentale, Boseti, Ziway and Hawasa.
• geothermal energy potential.
• rain-fed agriculture is practiced
iii. The Chew Bahir Rift: broad and shallow depression of the
3.3. The Impacts of Relief on Biophysical & Socioeconomic
Conditions
• With rugged terrain and surface dissection the following are
major impacts.
1. Agricultural practices
• Relief influences farm size & shape - farmlands are small in
size & fragmented & tend to be irregular in shape.
• Mechanized farming techniques are difficult to practice.
• higher altitude crops (barley, wheat) & low altitude crops
(sorghum, maize).
• higher altitude animals (equines, sheep) & low altitude
animals (camels, goats).
2. Settlement pattern
• Highlands having temperate type of climate &free from the
tropical diseases are densely settled.
-The highlands - sedentary life & permanent settlements
-while lowlands - inhabited by pastoralists/have temporary
settlements.

3. Transportation and communication

• barrier to the dev’t of transportation - long-term isolation of
many communities.
• infrastructure dev’t & maintenance costly.
• TV & radio communications are also highly influenced by relief.
• rendered rivers less navigable due to the waterfalls, deep gorges
& steep cliffs.

4. Hydroelectric power potential

• Altitude coupled with high rainfall created high potential for the
production of hydroelectric power.
5. Socio-cultural feeling
• The rugged terrain as a result of excessive surface dissection resulted in
long term isolation of communities that led to the occurrence of cultural
diversity.
• People identify themselves as degegnas (mountaineers) & kollegnas
(lowlanders).
6. Impacts on climate
• result of the tropical position of the country & altitudinal variation of the
general topography.
• 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
• Steep slopes provide low angle of rest, unstable surface materials &
subject to degradation & form shallow & little developed soils.
8. Impacts on natural vegetation
• Relief through its effect on climate & hydrology affect the type of natural
vegetation grown in an area.