CHAPTER THREE

THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND

THE HORN

Objectives
 Describe the topography of Ethiopia and the Horn.
 Identify the physiographic divisions of Ethiopia.
 Elucidate the physiographic characteristics of the Rift Valley.
 Explain the impacts of relief on biophysical and socioeconomic conditions
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
ETHIOPIAN PHYSIOGRAPHY

 The Ethiopia’s topography is characterized by great diversity

 flat-topped plateaus, high and rugged mountains, deep river gorges and vast plains
 Altitude ranges from 125 meters below sea level (Kobar Sink) to 4620masl (Ras-
Dashen).
 Ethiopia has the largest proportion of elevated landmass in the African continent.
 More than 50% of the Ethiopian landmass is above 1,000 meters of elevation; and
above 1,500 meters makes 44% of the country.
 Because of this, Ethiopia is said to be the “roof of eastern Africa.”
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
ETHIOPIAN PHYSIOGRAPHY
 Most of the Ethiopian Highlands are part of
central and northern Ethiopia, and its
northernmost portion extends into Eritrea.
 the most significant physical features of the
country, which form the largest continuous area of
its elevation in the continent.
 Dissected by rivers and deep gorges
 Divided into several mountains and plateau that
can be the source of many rivers
 As a result, Ethiopian plateau is called “the water tower
of north east Africa.”
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
ETHIOPIAN PHYSIOGRAPHY
 The diversity in topography is accompanied by differences in other natural features
such as soil, climate, vegetation and wild life as well as socio-cultural and economic
phenomena.
 1000m is considered as a demarcation between highlands and lowlands

 The cumulative effect of all this is that, the highlands have been significant throughout

Ethiopian history in the economic, cultural and 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% and higher highland (>2,000 m.a.s.l) constituting nearly 22%.
 Characteristics of Highlands vs Lowlands
highlands lowlands
 Moderate and high amount of  Fewer amounts of rainfall
rainfall (>600 mm per year). and higher temperature.
 Lower mean annual
 High prevalence of tropical
temperature (<200C).
 The climate is favorable for diseases.
biotic life.  Lower population densities.
 Rain-fed agriculture is possible.  Nomadic and semi-nomadic
 Free from tropical diseases.
economic life.
 Attractive for human habitation
 Vast plain lands favorable
and densely settled.
for irrigation agriculture
along the lower river basins.
 The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia

 Following the structural

divisions brought about by
the geologic processes of the
Cenozoic Era, three major
physiographic units can be
identified in Ethiopia. These
are:
 The Western highlands and
lowlands
 The South-eastern (Eastern)
highlands and lowlands
 The Rift Valley
 THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS AND LOWLANDS

 Includes all the area west of the rift valley.

 It extends from north to south encompassing nearly the whole western half of Ethiopia.
 Makes up about 44% of the area of the country.
 In the east the western escarpment of the rift valley bound it whereas westward, the land
gradually descends in altitude until it merges into the western foothills and lowlands,
along the Sudan and south Sudan border.
 Further subdivided into four groups of highlands (76.3%) and four groups of lowlands
(23.7%).
 WESTERN HIGHLANDS

Western highlands

The Shewa
North central Southwestern
Tigray plateau Plateau/centr
Massifs highlands
al highlands
 A. TIGRAY PLATEAU
 Extends from the tekeze gorge in the south to central Eritrean highlands.
 Separated from the Eritrean plateau by the Mereb river
 Constitutes about 13% of the area of the region.
 Elongated highland with most of the land being in between 1,000 and
2,000 meters above sea level.
 The right bank tributaries of tekeze drain this plateau.
 Long period of denudation has created residual features of granite hills,
rugged topography, and Ambas.
 CONTINUED

 There are high mountains in this

plateau with elevations of over 3000
meters, namely
 Mount Tsibet (3988 m.a.s.l)
 Mount Ambalage (3291 m.a.s.l), and
 Mount Assimba (3248 m.a.s.l).
 famous monastery at Debre-Damo, a

tableland that can only be climbed by a

Mt Ambalage
rope pulley is located in this region
 B. NORTH CENTRAL MASSIFS

 The largest in the western highlands.

 Much of its northern and southern limit follows the abay and tekeze

gorges.
 The abay, tekeze and their tributaries have cut into this region a maze of
gorges, steep sided river valleys, dividing the land into many isolated
plateau blocks, precipitous tablelands and other rugged surface forms.
But much of these plateau and tablelands are still capped by the

trappean lava.
 In its central part, the physiographic unit also accommodates the lake tana

basin surrounded by plains of fogera and dembia in the north and an

upland plain in its south.
 NORTH… CONTINUED
 58% percent 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 region consists of the Gonder, Wello and Gojjam Massifs.
 Out of the 26 mountain peaks with altitude of more than 4,000m.a.s.l in
Ethiopia, 19 mountain peaks are found in this physiographic region.
 Among these, the most popular ones include
 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) in the Simen Mountain System.
 Mount Guna (4,231m.a.s.l) in the Debre Tabour Mountain System,
 Abune Yoseph (4,260 m.a.s.l) in the Lasta highlands of Wello and
 Mount Birhan (4,154 m.a.s.l) in the Choke Mountain System
NORTH… CONTINUED
 The Mountain systems in Gonder and Gojjam are separated from the
eastern group of mountains in Wello by impenetrable and deep gorges.
At one point though, they are connected by Yeju-Wadla Delanta land
bridge (ridge).
 This land bridge has been significant in history.

served as a route of penetration by the Turks, Portuguese, and Italians

etc.
The Woreta-Debre Tabor-Woldya road constructed to link the
northwestern region with Asseb through Woldya and Dessie took
advantage of this land bridge.
 C. THE SHEWA PLATEAU/CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

 Bounded by the rift valley in the east and southeast, by the abay gorge in its
northern and western limit, and the Omo gorge in the south and west.
 Occupies a central geographical position in Ethiopia.
 With only 11% of the area of the whole physiographic region, the Shewa
plateau is the smallest of the western highlands. Nearly three fourth of its area
is at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level.
 It has, therefore, the largest proportion of elevated ground.
 C. SHEWAN…. CONTINUED
 Drained outward in all directions by the tributaries of Abbay, Omo and Awash
 It, therefore, forms a water divide for these three river basins.

 The tributaries of Abay :Guder, Muger, Jema etc. have cut deep

gorges and steep sided river valleys. They have created

several tablelands and isolated plateau units in the north.
 Omo and Awash have dissected the other sides(south) of the plateau.

 The highest mountain in the Shewan plateau is

Mount Abuye-Meda (4,000 m.a.s.l) in Northern Shewa,

Mount Guraghe in the south is 3,721 meters high.
 D. THE SOUTHWESTERN HIGHLANDS

 Consists of the highlands of Wellega, Illuababora, Jimma, Kaffa, Gamo and

Gofa.
 Separated from the adjacent highlands by the abay and omo river valleys.
 Extends from the abay gorge in the north to the kenya border and chew bahir
in the south.
 Accounts for 22.7% of the area of the region.
Is the second largest in the western highlands.
About 70% of its area is lies within 1,000-2,000 meters altitude.
 D. SOUTH… CONTINUED
 The southwestern plateau is the wettest in Ethiopia.
 It is drained by

Dabus
Deddessa (tributaries of Abay),
Baro,
Akobo and the Ghibe/Omo rivers.
The numerous streams have cut these highlands to produce the most

dissected and rugged terrain that accommodates the most numerous and
diverse ethnic linguistic groups in Ethiopia.
 With a height of 4,200 meters above sea level, Guge Mountain is the highest

peak in this physiographic subdivision.

 THE WESTERN LOWLANDS

 Western foothills and border plains that extend from western

tigray in the north to southern Gamo-Gofa in the south.
 In certain places, edges or part of the highlands protrude into
the lowlands, interrupting their continuity.
 They make 11% of the area of the physiographic region.

 The general elevation ranges between 500 and 1000 meters

above sea level.
 CONTINUED
 It can be subdivided into four categories

Western
lowlands

Abay- Baro-
Tekezze Ghibe
Dinder Akobo
lowlands lowlands
lowlands lowlands
 CONTINUED
 With the exception of the Baro lowland, the region is generally characterized
by arid or semi-arid conditions.
Pastoral or semi-pastoral economic activities dominate the area.
As one moves northwards, the degree of aridity increases, making rain-fed
agriculture more difficult.
 Since one or two rivers cross all of these lowlands, irrigation agriculture is

highly feasible.
 For example, the Baro lowland has an extensive flat area suitable for

mechanized agriculture.
 CONT.…

 The Ghibe/Omo lowland, which includes the lower Ghibe/Omo Valley and the northern
section of the Turkana basin, is classified in the Western lowlands from its geographical
location.
 But structurally it also belongs to the Rift Valley.
 It is an area, which is both faulted and tectonically depressed.
 In the Western lowlands, there are small but important towns.
 Their importance could be related to agriculture, history, or are simply border towns
and frontier ports.
 These are Humera, Metema, Omedla, Kurmuk, Gambella etc.
THE SOUTHEASTERN HIGHLANDS AND LOWLANDS

The second largest in terms of area.

Accounts for 37% of the area of Ethiopia.

The highlands make up 46% of the physiographic division while

the rest is lowland.
The eastern escarpment of the rift valley makes the western and
northern limit.
Further subdivided into
Two units of highlands and
Two units of extensive lowlands.
 CONTINUED…
 South east highlands
• Arsi- Bale-Sidama
• Hararghe Plateau
 South eastern Lowlands
• Ogaden
• Elkerie
• Borena
 A. ARSI-BALE-SIDAMA HIGHLANDS
 Are found to the east of the lakes region.
Make up 28.5% of the area of the region and 62% of the
south - eastern highlands.
 The arsi highlands are made up of flat rolling uplands and

dissected mountains.
The well-known mountains in this area are
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).

 CONTINUED…
 The Bale highlands are separated from the Arsi highlands by the head and
main stream of Wabishebelle.
They consist of a platform looking basaltic plateau in the north-central part
and high mountain massif to the south.
 The Afro-Alpine summit of Senetti plateau is found on the latter group.

The highest mountain peaks in this region are Tulu-Dimtu (4,377 m.a.s.l)
and Mount Batu (4,307 m.a.s.l).
 The Arsi-Bale Highlands are important grains producing areas with still high

potential.
 CONT.….
 The Sidama Highlands are separated from the Bale Highlands by the Ghenale river
valley.
 occupy the southwestern corner of this region.
 The prominent feature here is the Jemjem plateau, an important coffee growing
area.
 Rivers Wabishebelle and Ghenale along with their tributaries have dissected this

physiographic region.
 Specially, Weyb River, tributary of Ghenale, has cut an underground passage (Sof

Omar cave) through the Mesozoic Limestone rocks.

 The cave is found near Bale Mountains.
 It is one of the World's most spectacular and extensive underground caverns
creating a magnificent view accessible only by an underground stream.
 THE HARARGHE PLATEAU

 Is a north-easterly extension of the south-eastern highlands.

 It extends from the chercher highlands in the south-west to jigjiga in the
east.
 It makes up 38% of the south eastern highlands and 17.4% of the whole
physiographic region.
 It has the smallest proportion of upper highland (>2,000 meters).
 It is a low lying and elongated region.
 HARARGHE PLATEAU

 Rising sharply from the Rift Valley floor, it

immediately but gently descends east and
southeastward.
 The left-bank tributaries of Wabishebelle
drain it.
 Much of the Trappean lava is removed and
the Mesozoic rocks are extensively
exposed.
 The highest mountain here is Mount Gara-
Muleta (3,381 m.a.s.l).
 THE SOUTHEASTERN LOWLANDS
 Located in the southeastern part of the country and they are the most
extensive lowlands in Ethiopia.
 Make up 54% of the area of the physiographic region and around one-fifth

of the country.
 Divided into Wabishebelle plain (60%) and the Ghenale plain (40%).

Include the plains of ogaden, elkere, and borena. Southeastward sloping

plains characterize these lowlands.
 These extensive plains are interrupted here and there, by low hills, low

ridges, inselbergs and by shallow and broad river valleys and depressions.
 CONT.….
 Because of the harsh climatic conditions, these lowlands are little used and
support very small population.
They are sparsely inhabited by pastoral and semi-pastoral communities.
 The economic potential for this region includes animal husbandry, irrigation,

agriculture and perhaps exploitation of petroleum and natural gas.

 THE RIFT VALLEY

 The Rift Valley is a tectonically formed structural depression.

 The formation of the Rift Valley has separated the Ethiopian Highlands and

Lowlands in to two.
It extends from the Afar triangle in the north to Chew Bahir for about
1,700 km.
It covers 18% of the area of Ethiopia.
It is elongated and funnel shaped, with a NE-SW orientation.
It opens out in the Afar Triangle, where it is the widest, and narrows down
to the south.
 CONT.….
 The floor of the Rift Valley is made up of interconnected troughs, grabens and
depressions.
 Volcanic rocks, fluvial and lacustrine deposits cover the floor.
 In many places, numerous volcanic domes, hills and cinder cones rise from the
floor.
 Altitude in the floor ranges from 125 meters below sea level at Dallol Depression,

to as high as 2,000 meters above sea level in the Lakes region.

 The bounding escarpments are also of varying heights.

 From the floor to the edge of the escarpment, the heights vary from 200 to 1500
meters.
 Because of its altitudinal variation and positional differences, the climate also varies from
warm, hot and dry to cool and moderately moist conditions.
 CONT.…
 Similarly,the social and economic life reflects this pattern.
There are places, which are desolate and sparsely inhabited by pastoralists
where as in others parts people practice some rain-fed agriculture.
 The Rift Valley is further subdivided into three physiographic sub-regions.

the Afar Triangle,

the Main Ethiopian Rift, and
the Chew Bahir Rift
 AFAR TRIANGLE
 The Afar Triangle 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).

Where elevation drops from approximately 1,000 meters in the southwest

to below sea level in the north (Danakil depression) at around 125 meters
below sea level.
The depression, maximum temperatures can exceed 50°C
during the summer wet season
 CONT.…
 It
is characterized by
Faulted depressions (grabens), volcanic hills, active volcanoes, volcanic
ridges, lava fields and low lava platforms
Lakes (abe, asale, and afrera)
Denakil depression (kobar sink).
Salt plain
Hot and dry climate
The economic importance of this region includes salt extraction, irrigation
along the awash river and electric potential from geothermal energy.
 THE MAIN ETHIOPIAN RIFT/CENTRAL RIFT

 It refers to the narrow belt of the rift valley that extends

from awash river in the north to lake chamo in the south.
 With the exception of the Arba-minch area, the bounding
escarpments are generally low.
 This part of the rift valley is the narrowest and the highest.
 It has an average width of 50-80 kilometers and general
elevation of 1,000-2,000 meters above sea level.
 CONT.….
 It
is characterized by
Cinder cones and volcanic mountains e.g. Mount Fentale, Boseti-guda
(near Adama), Aletu (north of Lake Ziway) and Chebi (north of Lake
Hawasa).
Numerous lakes formed on tectonic sags and fault depressions.
It is mild and wet
People practices rain-fed agriculture, recreational value of the lakes, the
agricultural importance of some streams and lakes, and the geothermal
energy potential.
 THE CHEW BAHIR RIFT

 This is the smallest and the southern-most part of the rift valley.
 Gneissic highlands of konso and the surrounding highlands separate it from
the main Ethiopian rift to the north.
 It is characterized by
Broad and shallow depression,
Marshy area covered by tall grass, into which the segen and woito streams
empty.
 THE IMPACTS OF RELIEF ON BIOPHYSICAL AND
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS

 Agricultural
practices
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
most equines(horses) and sheep are reared in the higher altitudes and

camels and goat are well adapted to lower altitudes

 CONT.…

 Settlement
pattern
Highlands of Ethiopia that experience a temperate type of climatic
condition that are mainly free from most of the tropical diseases are
densely settled.
Rugged and difficult terrain hinders the development of settlement and its
expansion.
The highlands of Ethiopia are characterized by sedentary life and
permanent settlements while lowlands that are inhabited by pastoralists
have temporary settlements.
 CONT.….
 Transportationand communication
The highly di ssected nature of the landscape is a barrier to the
development of internal surface transportation that resulted in the long-
term isolation of many communities
The difficult terrain makes infrastructure development and maintenance
costly.
TV and radio communications are also highly influenced by relief.
The rugged topography rendered rivers less navigable due to the
waterfalls, deep gorges and steep cliffs.
 CONT.…
 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.
 Socio-cultural feeling

The rugged terrain as a result of excessive surface dissection resulted in

the long-term isolation of communities that led to the occurrence of
cultural diversity.
People who live in the highlands have been identifying themselves as
degegnas (mountaineers) and those who live in the lowlands as
kollegnas (lowlanders).
 CONT.….

 Impacts on climate
 The climate of Ethiopia is a result of the tropical position of the country and the
great altitudinal variation of the general topography.
 Highlands with higher amount of rainfall and lower rate of vapor-transpiration
tend to be moisture surplus compared to the moisture deficit lowlands.
 Impacts on soil

 Steep mountain slopes provide low angle of rest, unstable surface materials and
subject to degradation processes and relatively form shallow and little
developed soils.
 Impacts on natural vegetation

 Relief through its effect on climate and hydrology affect the type of natural
vegetation grown in an area