CHAPTER THREE

THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN

3.1. Introduction

The topography of Ethiopia is largely determined by the geologic activities of the Cenozoic Era. The
uplifting of the Arabo-Ethiopian swell and the subsequent outpouring of lava, the formation of a great structural
valley by faulting, subsequent depression creation and deposition are major features in Ethiopia.

General Characteristics of the Ethiopian Physiography

The Ethiopian landform is characterized by great diversity. There are flat-topped plateaus, high and rugged
mountains, deep river gorges and vast plains. Altitude ranges from 125 meters below sea level (Kobar Sink)
to the highest mountain in Ethiopia, Mount Ras Dashen (4,620 m.a.s.l). More than 50% of the Ethiopian
landmass is above 1,000 meters of elevation; and above 1,500 meters makes 44% of the country. Most of the
Ethiopian highlands are part of central and northern Ethiopia, and its northernmost portion extends into Eritrea.

The highland core, on the other hand, is encircled by semi-arid and lowlands. The Ethiopian highlands are
rugged mass of mountains, they have been dissected by several rivers and gorges. They have been divided into
several regions and mountain systems. Most of the country consists of high plateau and mountain ranges that
are sources of many rivers and streams.

The diversity in topography is accompanied by differences in other natural features such as soil, climate,
vegetation and wild life. Likewise, the socio-cultural and economic phenomena are also affected by the
topography.

Taking the 1,000 meters contour line for the highland-lowland demarcation, there is an observable contrasting
features between the Ethiopian highlands and lowlands:

Characteristics of Ethiopian highlands:

 The climate is favorable for biotic life.

o Moderate and high amount of rainfall (>600 mm per year).
o Lower mean annual temperature (<200C).
 Rain-fed agriculture is possible.
 Free from tropical diseases.
 Attractive for human residence and densely populated.
Therefore, 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 the remaining 44% of the Ethiopian lowlands are:

 Fewer amounts of rainfall and higher temperature.

 High prevalence of tropical diseases.
 Lower population densities.
 Nomadic and semi-nomadic economic life.
 Vast plain lands favorable for irrigation agriculture along the lower river basins.

3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia

Due to the structural divisions brought about by the geologic processes of the Cenozoic Era, three major
physiographic units can be identified in Ethiopia. These are:

1. The Western highlands and lowlands

2. The South-eastern (Eastern) highlands and lowlands

3. The Rift Valley

3.2.1. The Western Highlands and Lowlands

It includes all the area west of the Rift

Valley (44%) and encompassing nearly
the whole western half of Ethiopia. It
makes up about 44% of the area of the
country. It is bounded by rift valley,
Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan and south Sudan.

This region is further subdivided into

four groups of highlands (76.3%) and
four groups of lowlands (23.7%)
 a. The Tigray Plateau

It extends from the Tekeze gorge to Eritrea separated from

the Eritrean plateau by the Mereb River. It constitutes about
13% of the area of the region. Most of the plateau is being
in between 1,000 and 2,000 masl. Long period of
denudation has created residual features of granite
hills, rugged topography, and Ambas.

Mount Tsibet (3988 m.a.s.l), Mount Ambalage (3291 m.a.s.l),

and Mount Assimba (3248 m.a.s.l). The famous monastery
Debre-Damo, is located in this plateau.

b. North Central Massifs

It is the largest in the western highlands.

Extends from the Abay to the Tekeze
gorges. It accommodates the Lake Tana
basin surrounded by plains of Fogera and
Dembia in its central part.

Fifty-eight 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 4,000 m.a.s.l in Ethiopia, 19 mountain peaks are found in this physiographic region.
Among these, the most popular ones are: 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 in Gojjam are parts of the north central massif. These
mountains have steep cliffs and rugged terrain that provide scenic views to climbers

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- WadlaDelanta land bridge (ridge).
 c. The Shewa Plateau/central highlands

It is bounded by the Rift Valley, by the Abay gorge, and

the Omo gorge. With only 11% of the area, it is the
smallest of the Western highlands. It has, the largest
proportion of elevated ground since nearly 75% of its
area is above 2000masl.

It is the water source of the tributaries of Abay, Omo,

and Awash. 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

It consist the highlands of Wellega, Illuababora, Jimma,

Kaffa, Gamo and Gofa. It extends from the Abay gorge
in the north to the Kenya border and Chew Bahir in
the south. It accounts for 22.7% of the area of the
region. The region is the second largest in the
Western highlands. About 70% of its area lies within
1,000-2,000 meters altitude.

The southwestern plateau is the wettest in Ethiopia.

With a height of 4,200 meters above sea level, Guge
Mountain is the highest peak in this subdivision.

The Western Lowlands

It extends from Western Tigray to Gamo-Gofa and accounts

11% of the physiographic region. Elevation ranges b/n 500 and
1000 meters above sea level.

The four sub regions of these region are Tekeze, Abay-Dinder,

Baro, and Ghibe lowlands. Except Baro lowland, the region is
generally characterized by arid or semi-arid conditions.
Pastoral or semi-pastoral economic activities dominate the
area. Rain-fed agriculture is difficult, whereas, irrigation
agriculture is highly feasible. The Ghibe/Omo lowland, is
classified in the western lowlands from its geographical
location; but structurally it belongs to the Rift Valley. It is an
area, which is both faulted and tectonically depressed.
 3.2.2. The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands

It is the second largest and accounts 37% of the area of

Ethiopia. The highlands make up 46% of the
physiographic division while the rest is lowland. In the
west and north, it is bounded by rift valley. These
physiographic region is subdivided into two units of
highlands and two units of extensive lowlands.

The Southeastern Highlands

A. The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands

These highlands are found to the east of the Lakes

Region. They make up 28.5% from 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).

The Bale highlands are separated from the Arsi highlands by the head and main stream of Wabishebele. They consist of a platform
looking basaltic plateau in the north-central part and high mountain massif to the south. The highest mountain peaks in this
region are Tulu-Demtu (4,377m.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.

The Sidama Highlands are separated from the Bale Highlands by the Ghenale river valley. It is the southern extreme of this
region. The prominent feature here is the Jemjem plateau, an important coffee growing area. Weyb River, tributary of Ghenale,
has cut an underground passage (Sof Omar cave), one of the World's most spectacular cave is another noticeable feature of the
region

B. The Hararghe Plateau

This 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).

In this region 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

It is located in the southeastern part of the country and they are the most extensive lowlands in Ethiopia. They make up 54% of
the area of the physiographic region and around one-fifth of the country. This region is divided into Wabishebelle plain (60%)
and the Ghenale Plain (40%). They include the plains of Ogaden, Elkere, and Borena.

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. It

is bounded by two major escarpments. 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,

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 m at Dallol, to 2,000 m in
the Lakes region.

Because of its altitudinal variation and positional differences, the

climate also varies from warm, hot and dry to cool and moderately moist conditions. The area is sparsely inhabited and they are
pastoralists.

The Rift Valley is further subdivided into three physiographic sub-regions. These are the Afar Triangle, the Main Ethiopian
Rift, and the Chew Bahir Rift.

i. The 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). Is triangular-shape lowland, where elevation drops uniformly from southwest to below sea
level in the north (Danakil depression) and in the east, and it includes the lowest point of the African continent. It hosts one
of the most hostile environments on Earth with 500C temperature.

The area is characterized by faulted depressions (grabens), volcanic hills, active volcanoes, volcanic ridges, lava fields and low
lava platforms. Lakes (Abe, Asale, and Afrera) occupy some of these basins. A prominent feature in this region is the Denakil
Depression (Kobar Sink). The economic importance of this region includes salt extraction, irrigation along the Awash River and electric
potential from geothermal energy.

ii. 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. It is
bounded by the western and eastern escarpments. With the exception of the Arbaminch 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.

The floor in many places is dotted by cinder cones and volcanic mountains. The big ones include Mount Fentale, Boseti-guda
(near Adama), Aletu (north of Lake Ziway) and Chebi (north of Lake Hawasa).

Because of altitude, the lakes region of the Main Ethiopian Rift is generally milder 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.

iii. 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. The characteristic feature of this region is the broad and shallow depression,
which is a marshy area covered by tall grass, into which the Segen and Woito streams empty.
3.3. The Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and Socioeconomic Conditions

The highly dissected character of the landscape over much of the country’s territory along with the limited extent to which flat
surfaces are present influence the various socioeconomic aspects of Ethiopia.

1. Agricultural practices

Relief influences farm size and shape in that in an area of rugged terrain the farmlands are small in size and fragmented and tend
to be irregular in shape.

 Rugged terrain mechanized farming techniques are difficult to practice.

 Relief influences crop production
 The practice of animal husbandry is also influenced by relief

2. Settlement pattern

 Highlands of Ethiopia are densely settled.

 Rugged and difficult terrain hinders the development of settlement and its expansion.
 The highlands are characterized by sedentary life and permanent settlements, lowlands are inhabited by pastoralists with
temporary settlements.

3. Transportation and communication

 The highly dissected 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.

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 dissection resulted in the long-term isolation of communities that led
to the occurrence of cultural diversity. Therefore, People who live in the highlands are degegnas (mountaineers) and
those who live in the lowlands as kollegnas (lowlanders).

6. 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 evapo-transpiration tend to be moisture surplus compared
to the moisture deficit lowlands.

7. 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.

8. Impacts on natural vegetation

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