• Topography Characteristics of Ethiopia and The Horn

• Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia

• Physiographic Characteristics of The Rift Valley.
• The Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and Socioeconomic Conditions
 1. Introduction

 How and Why the topography of Ethiopia is

largely determined by the geologic activities
of the Cenozoic Era?
 General Characteristics of The Ethiopian Physiography

❑ The Ethiopian landform:

o Diversified (flat-topped plateaus, high and rugged mountains, deep
river gorges and vast plains)
o Altitude ranges from 125 m.b.s.l (Kobar Sink) to near to 4,620
m.a.s.l (Mount Ras Dashen 4th highest mountain in Africa) (4745 m)
o The largest proportion of its landmass elevated in the African
continent.
o It is the Roof of East Africa because of its height and large area
 ….. CONT’D

 More than 50% of the Ethiopian landmass is above 1,000 meters of

elevation; and above 1,500 meters makes 44% of the country.

 Half of this, in turn, is at more than 2,000 meters a.s.l.

 Most of the Ethiopian Highlands are part of central and northern

Ethiopia, and its northernmost portion extends into Eritrea.

 The highland core is encircled by semi-arid and lowlands.

 ….. CONT’D

 The Ethiopian Highlands are rugged mass of mountains, situated in

the Horn of Africa.

 dissected by several rivers and ravines (gorges)

 The highlands make up nearly 56% of the area of the Ethiopia. It

subdivided as:

a) Lower highland (1,000 - 2,000 m.a.s.l), which make up 35%

b) Higher (upper)highland (>2,000 m.a.s.l) constituting nearly 22%.

 Group Discussion

✓ Why Ethiopia is considered as a Roof of East

Africa And “Water Tower of East Africa”?

✓ How physiographic diversity affect the socio-

cultural and economic aspects a country? Give
example from our country experience.
 Answer

 it consist height mountains (highland) in the

region and cover large area

 Its highland plateau and mountains are sources of

many rivers and streams that flow in all direction to
neighboring countries by crossing international
boundary
➢ In Ethiopia 1,000 M taken as a Demarcation Altitude for Highland-lowland
Demarcation:
 The highland are characterized by:  The lowlands are characterized by:

❖ Moderate and high amount of rainfall

❖ Fewer amounts of rainfall and higher
(>600 mm per year).
temperature.
❖ Lower mean annual temperature (<20oC).
❖ High prevalence of tropical diseases.
❖ Free from tropical diseases.
❖ Nomadic and semi-nomadic economic life.
❖ Rain-fed agriculture is possible.
❖ Lower population densities.
❖ Attractive for human habitation and densely
settled. ❖ Vast plain lands favorable for irrigation
agriculture along the lower river basins 8
❖ The climate is favorable for biotic life.
2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia

 The three major physiographic units of Ethiopia are:

1. The Western highlands and lowlands (45%)

2. The South-eastern (Eastern) highlands and lowlands
(37%)
3. The Rift Valley (18%)
Ethiopian Topography

45%

37%

10
 I. The Western Highlands and Lowlands
o It includes all the area west of the Rift Valley up to Sudan
border

o It extends from north to south encompassing nearly the whole

western half of Ethiopia.

▪ It makes up about 44% of the area of the country.

▪ It start form western escarpment of the Rift Valley(east) ends

westward it merges into the western foothills and lowlands, along the

Sudan and South Sudan border

• This region subdivided into four groups f highlands and four groups of
lowlands

I. The Western Highlands (76.3%) II. The Western Lowlands (23.7%)

a. The Tigray Plateau a) Tekeze lowland,

b. North Central Massifs b) Abay-Dinder lowland,

c. The Shewa Plateau/central c) Baro lowland, and

highlands d) Ghibe lowland.
d. The Southwestern Highlands
12
Tekeze lowland

13
 1. Tigray Plateau
 It extends from the Tekeze gorge in the south to central Eritrean
highlands.

 It is separated from the Eritrean plateau by the Mereb River.

 It streach b/n southeast of the upper course of the Mereb/Gash

River (North)and to the northeast of Tekeze River Gorge (South)

 It constitutes about 13% of the area of the region

 It is an elongated highland (b/n 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea

level)
 ….. CONT’D

 The right bank tributaries of Tekeze drain this plateau

 Long period of denudation has created residual features of granite

hills, rugged topography, and Ambas.

 The highest mountains (> 3000 meters)

 Mt. Tsibet (3988 m.a.s.l)

 Mt. Ambalage (3291 m.a.s.l)

 Mt. Assimba (3248 m.a.s.l)

 The important feature in this plateau is Monastery at Debre-Damo,

a tableland that can only be climbed by a rope pulley (North Tigray)
Debre Damo Table Land
 2. North Central Massifs

 is the largest in the western highlands

 Is an area b/n R. Tekeze (North) and R. Abay (South)

 Abay, Tekeze and their tributaries cut the land into different gorges,
steep sided river valleys, isolated plateau blocks, tablelands

 Its central part accommodates the Lake Tana basin surrounded by

plains of Fogera and Dembia in the north and an upland plain in its
south.
 ….. CONT’D

 58% 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.

 It 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.
 ….. CONT’D
The most popular Mt. (in the Simen Mountain System)

▪ Mt. Ras Dashen (4,620 m.a.s.l)

▪ Mt. Weynobar/Ancua (4462 m.a.s.l)

▪ Mt. KidusYared (4453 m.a.s.l)

▪ Mount Bwahit (4437 m.a.s.l)

▪ 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
 ….. CONT’D
 The Western Massif (Mountain systems in Gondar and Gojjam)
are separated from the Eastern Massif (Wello mountain system) by
impenetrable and deep gorges.

 But they are connected by Yeju-Wadla Delanta land bridge (ridge).

Yeju-Wadla Delanta land bridge has been significant in history

➢ It 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.
 3. The Shewa Plateau/Central Highlands

 The Shewan plateau is bounded :

- East and southeast - Rift Valley,

- Northern and western - Abay gorge
- South and west - Omo gorge

 It occupies a central geographical position of Ethiopia.

 It is the smallest of the Western highlands (11%)

 About 75% of its area is at an altitude > 2,000 m absl

 It is a water divide for the tributaries of Abay, Omo, and Awash

 It has relatively extensive flat-topped uplands ( a true plateau)
however, it dissected by the tributaries if river Abay (Guder,
Muger, Jema etc) & Omo and Awash

 The highest mountains are:

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

- Mount Guraghe ( 3,721 m) in the South

 4. The South Western Highlands

 It consists the highlands of:

▪ Wellega, ▪Kaffa
▪ Illuababora ▪Gamo
▪ Jimma ▪Gofa
 It accounts for 22.7% of the area of W highland (2nd largest)
 It extends from the Abay gorge in the north to the Kenya border and
Chew Bahir in the south.
 Abay and Omo river valleys separated it from nearby highlands
 About 70% of its area is lies within 1,000-2,000 meters altitude.
 It is the wettest in Ethiopia.
 It is drained by rivers like:-
- Dabus, Deddessa (tributaries of Abay)
- Baro, Akobo
- Ghibe/Omo
➢ It accommodates numerous and diverse ethnic linguistic groups
in Ethiopia.
➢ Is coffee and Tea growing area (Wish wish & Gumera Tea)
➢ the highest Mt. Gughe (Guge) – 4200m
- Mt. Gude (3349m)
 THE WESTERN LOWLANDS

 It extend from Western Tigray in the north to southern Gamo-Gofa

in the South
 It account 11% of the area of the physiographic region
 Its elevation ranges between 500 and 1000 meters above sea level.
 It subdivided into four sub-region:-
1. Tekeze lowland
2. Abay- Dinder Lowland
3. Baro Lowland
4. Ghibe Lowland
 As one moves northwards, the degree of aridity increases, making
rain-fed agriculture more difficult.

 Pastoral or semi-pastoral economic activities dominate the area.

 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.

 These are historical and Agricultural towns (Humera, Metema,

Omedla, Kurmuk, Gambella etc).
➢Which low land is the wettest lowland among
the western lowland regions?

➢Which of the lowland region is structurally

located in the rift valley and why it is
considered as part of this region?
 A. Tekeze Lowland

 Is the north most lowland

 Irrigated commercial agricultural (Humera Seitet)

B. Abay- Dinder Lowland

 Is an area crossed by Abay river

 Located south of Metema up to Abay river

C. Baro Lowland
 Is the largest (permissible for irrigation) and the wettest lowland
 ….. CONT’D

D. Ghibe / Omo Lowland

 Structurally found in the Rift Valley (northern section of the

Turkana basin)

 But it is grouped as western lowland b/c it is crossed by rivers

from western highland (Shewa plateau- Ghibe)

 It has very high temperature b/c of low latitude and low

altitude
 II. The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands

 is the second largest (37%) in terms of area.

 The highlands make up 44% and 56% is lowland

 the land gradually descends southeastward into the

southeastern lowlands and then to the plains of Somalia.
 Questions

 Name the sub groups of South Eastern

Highlands and Lowlands

It is further subdivided into two units of highlands and two units of extensive
lowlands.

A. The Western Highlands (44%) B. The Western Lowlands (56%)

a) The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands a) Wabishebelle plain

b) The Hararghe Plateau b) Ghenale Plain

32
Wabe shebele
plain

33
 Western Highlands
1. The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
 found to the east of the Lakes Region

 It make up 28.5% of the area of the region and 62% of the SE

Highlands.

❖ Arsi Massif

 The well-known mountains are:

Mount Kaka (4,180 m.a.s.l),
Mount Bada (4,139 m.a.s.l)
Mount Chilalo (4,036 m.a.s.l).
❖ Bale Massif

▪ it is separated from the Arsi highlands Wabishebelle river

 The highest mountain peaks in this region are :-

- Tulu-Demtu (4,377 m.a.s.l) and

- Mount Batu (4,307 m.a.s.l).

 In the gorges, valleys, and depressions there is evidences of

erosion features belonging to Pleistocene glaciation

 The Arsi-Bale Highlands are important grains producing areas

with still high potential.
❖ Sidama Highlands

 Ghenale river valley separate it from the Bale Highlands

 It occupy the southwestern corner of this region.

 Jemjem plateau - an important coffee growing area.

 Sof Omar cave (Mesozoic Limestone rocks) Weyb River -

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.
Sof Omar Cave
Coffee Plantation
 2.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.

 has the smallest proportion of upper highland (>2,000 meters).

 Rising sharply from the Rift Valley floor, it immediately but
gently descends east and southeastward.

 It drained by the left-bank tributaries of Wabishebelle river

 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

 is the most extensive lowlands in Ethiopia (54% of the region

and 20% of the nation)

 This lowland groups include the plains of Ogaden, Elkere, and

Borena.

 This region is divided:

- Wabishebelle plain (60%)

- Ghenale Plain (40%).

 These extensive plains are interrupted here and there, by low
hills, low ridges, inselbergs and by shallow and broad river
valleys and depressions.

 is little used and support very small population b/c of climate

 Sparsely inhabited by pastoral and semi-pastoral communities

 The economic potential for this region:-

- animal husbandry

- irrigation agriculture

- exploitation of petroleum and natural gas.

 Questions
 Among the Ethiopian lowland and Highland
which one covers the largest part of the
country? Why?

 List the character of SE lowland?

 List the parts of South Eastern lowland?

 III. Rift Valley Region
 It is bounded by two major and more or less parallel escarpments.
 It extends from the Afar triangle in the north to Chew Bahir
 It covers 18% of the area of Ethiopia.

 It is elongated and funnel shaped, with a NE-SW orientation

 The floor is made up of interconnected troughs, grabens and

depressions.
 The floor is covered by 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.
 From the floor to the edge of the escarpment, the heights vary
from 200 to 1500m.
 the climate varies from warm, hot and dry to cool and
moderately moist conditions.

 as a result some parts are desolate and sparsely inhabited by

pastoralists, and others are practicing rain-fed agriculture.
 Questions

 What are the responsible geologic events

responsible for this?
 When it occurred?

 List the subgroups of Ethiopian Rift valley

regions
The three physiographic sub-regions of the rift valley are:

1. The Afar Triangle

2. The Main Ethiopian Rift

3. The Chew Bahir Rift

Chew Bahir Rift

48
 1. The Afar Triangle

▪ is the largest and widest part of the Rift Valley (54%)

 It is bounded by the high western and eastern escarpments in the

west and east respectively, and by the Afar and Aisha Horst in the
northeast.

 The area is generally of low altitude (300-700m)

 The morphology is triangular-shape lowland (elevation drops

uniformly from near 1,000m in the SW to below sea level in the
north (Danakil depression) represent the lowest subaerial point of
the African continent.
Afar Triangle
 It is generally hot and dry with hostile environments on Earth (>
50°C during the summer wet season)

 It is characterized by faulted depressions (grabens), volcanic hills,

active volcanoes, volcanic ridges, lava fields and low lava
platforms.

 Lakes found in the region are :- Lakes Abe, L. Asale, and L. Afrera

 A prominent feature in this region is the Denakil Depression

(Kobar Sink).

 Separated from the Red Sea by a 200 meters high land barrier,
much of it lies below sea level.
 A larger part of this is covered by thick and extensive salt plain.

 Lake Asale and Lake Afdera occupy the lowest parts

 The only respite one gets in the Southern part is from the waters
of the Awash River.

 The region is economically important in:- of this region includes

- salt extraction,

- irrigation along the Awash River

- geothermal energy for electric potential

2. The Main Ethiopian Rift/Central Rift
 It extends from Awash River in the north to Lake Chamo in
the south.

 It is bounded by the western and eastern escarpments.

 Except the Arbaminch area, the bounding escarpments are

generally low.

 it 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 region has small volcanic hills. Among the biggest :-

- Mount Fentale, Boseti-guda (near Adama),

- Aletu (north of Lake Ziway) and
- Chebi (north of Lake Hawasa).
 There are also numerous lakes formed on tectonic sags and
fault depressions.
 Rain-fed agriculture is practiced b/c it receive moderate rain
 Economically it :- Other resource bases include the
- recreational value of the lakes,
- the agricultural
- the geothermal energy potential.
 3. 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 the broad and shallow depression, which is a marshy area

covered by tall grass,

 Segen and Woito streams drain and empty in this part of the refit
valley region
 3. Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and
Socioeconomic Conditions

❑ Discuss and briefly Explain impact Ethiopian relief Feature on:

 Biophysical condition

 Socioeconomic situation
Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and Socioeconomic Conditions are:

a. Impacts on climate
b. Impacts on soil
c. Agricultural practices
d. Impacts on natural vegetation
e. Settlement pattern
f. Transportation and communication
g. Socio-cultural feeling
h. Hydroelectric power potential
 i. Agricultural practices

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

 Choice of farming techniques and farm implements:- are highly rugged

terrain difficult to mechanized farming practice.

 Type of crop produced:- some corps are well adapted to higher altitudes
(barley, wheat) and others to low altitude (sorghum, maize).

 The practice of animal husbandry: in the higher altitudes reared equines

and sheep and camels and goat are well adapted to lower altitudes
 ii. Settlement pattern

 Highlands of Ethiopia (which experience a temperate climatic) 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 are characterized by sedentary life and permanent

settlements

✓ while lowlands that are inhabited by pastoralists have temporary settlements.

 iii. 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.
 iv. . Hydroelectric power potential

 The great difference in altitude with high rainfall created suitable

conditions for a very high potential for the production of hydroelectric
power in Ethiopia.
v. 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).
Degegnas (Mountaineers)
Kollegnas(Lowlanders)
 vi. Impacts on climate

✓ Although, the climate of Ethiopia is a result of the tropical position, the

altitude great influence.

o Highlands: higher amount of rainfall and lower rate of evapo-

transpiration tend to be moisture surplus

o Lowlands: scarce rainfall and with moisture deficit.

 vii. Impacts on soil

o Steep mountain slopes:

o provide low angle of rest: unstable surface materials and

o subject to degradation processes and

o relatively form shallow and little developed soils.

vii. Impacts on natural vegetation

o Relief through its effect on climate and hydrology affect the type
of natural vegetation grown in an area.
-End-
Chapter-4