Ethiopian Geography
Explores the varied landscapes, climates, and populations of Ethiopia.
Geographical Statistics of Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a landlocked nation of Northeast Africa, occupying the majority of the Horn of Africa. Running clockwise, it is bordered by the countries of Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan. Overall, the nation covers about 423,388 square miles or 1,096,570 square kilometers. Its major city is its capital, Addis Ababa (approx. population 4.4 million.) Ethiopia is largely rural, with a total population estimated at 108,386,391.
Climates and Landscapes of Ethiopia
The landscapes and climates of Ethiopia change dramatically from north to south. The Great Rift Valley, part of Africa’s larger East African Rift, divides the country diagonally. It contains fertile lowlands rich in lakes, a major center of the nation’s agriculture. To the north, the Ethiopian highlands reach upward with distinctive, plateau-topped mountains. This region is home to Lake Tana, the primary source of the Blue Nile and Nile Rivers. Another plateau stretches south of the Rift Valley toward sea level, characterized by tropical forest and hot deserts to the east. Most of the highlands are temperate in climate.
As its different landscapes might suggest, Ethiopia is a highly biodiverse country. It is home to forests of African redwoods, juniper, podocarpus conifers, and acacia, among others. Its native wildlife include hyenas, baboons, lions, jackals, hippos, colobus monkeys, leopards, antelope, and elephants. Many of its species, however, are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
References
Addis Getahun, Solomon and Wudu Tafete Kassu. Culture and Customs of Ethiopia. ABC-CLIO. 2014.
Briggs, Philip and Brian Blatt. Ethiopia. Bradt Travel Guides. 2009
De Waal, Alexander. Evil Days: Thirty Years of War and Famine in Ethiopia. Human Rights Watch. 1991.
“Eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Extending into Eritrea.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/at0112.
Gish, Steven, Winnie Thay, and Zawiah Abdul Latif. Ethiopia. Marshall Cavendish. 2007.
Lemma, Misael. “Ethiopia: Economic Growth Behind Ethiopia's Rapid Urbanization.” AllAfrica, AllAfrica, 2 Mar. 2018, allafrica.com/stories/201803010493.html.
Marcus, Harold G. A History of Ethiopia. University of California Press. 2002.
Shaw, Kirsty. “Threatened Trees of Ethiopia.” Global Trees, Global Trees Campaign, 16 May 2014, globaltrees.org/news-blog/threatened-trees-ethiopia/.
“The World Factbook: Ethiopia.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 1 Feb. 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html.
Uhlig, Siegbert, David Appleyard, et. al. Ethiopia: History, Culture, and Challenges. LIT Verlag Münster. 2017.
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