Chap 3

3.
The Topography of Ethiopia

 Also called relief, landform and terrain.
 characterized by great diversity
 Altitude ranges from 125 meters b.s.l (Kobar Sink) to the highest
mountain, Mount RasDashen (4,620 m.a.s.l).
 It described as the Roof of East Africa because of its
height/elevation cover large area.
 More than 50% of the Ethiopian landmass is above 1,000 meters
of elevation;
 the country to be described as the “Water Tower of East Africa”.
 The diversity in topography is lead to diversity in natural
features, socio-cultural and economic phenomena.
 Taking the 1,000 meters contour line for the highland-lowland
demarcation
Characteristics of Characteristics of
highland(56%) lowland(44%)
 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).
diseases.
 The climate is favourable for
biotic life.  Lower population densities.
 Rain-fed agriculture is  Nomadic and semi-nomadic
possible. economic life.
 Free from tropical diseases.  Vast plain lands favourable
 Attractive for human for irrigation agriculture
habitation and densely along the lower river basins.
settled.
3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia
three major physiographic units

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
 all the area west of the Rift Valley.

 It makes up about 44% of the area of the
country
The Western highlands
a. Tigrean plateaus
b. North Central Massifs
c. Shoan plateaus
d. South western highlands
A. The Tigray Plateau
 It extends from the Tekeze gorge (south) to central

Eritrean highlands.
 The Tigray plateau is separated from the Eritrean
plateau by the Mereb River.
 It constitutes about 13% of the area of the region.
 The right bank tributaries of Tekeze drain this plateau.
 There are high mountains 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).
B. North Central Massifs
The largest/biggest by area in the western highlands.

Its northern and southern limit Abay and Tekeze gorges.
also accommodates the Lake Tana basin
(58%) of the region is at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters,
making it, next to the Shewan Plateau
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.
include Mount Ras Dashen (4,620 m.a.s.l)
• Western Group consisting Gojjam & Gondar
• Eastern Group holding Wollo
Yeju-wadla Delanta bridge is the only higher ground connecting
these two regions.
C. The Shewa Plateau/central highlands
 Geographical occupies a central position in Ethiopia.

 With only 11% of the area of the whole physiographic
region, the Shewa Plateau is the smallest of the Western
highlands.
 It has the most elevated landmass in Ethiopia, because
about 75% of its total area is located at more than 2000
meters a. s. l.
 The Shewa plateau is drained, outward in all directions by
the tributaries of Abay, Omo, and Awash.
 The highest mountain in the Shewan plateau is Mount
Abuye-Meda (4,000 m.a.s.l)
D. The South-western Highlands
 Consists of 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.
 The region is the second largest in the Western highlands.
 About 70% of its area is lies within 1,000-2,000 meters
altitude.
 is the wettest in Ethiopia.
 It is drained by Dabus, Deddessa (tributaries of Abay), Baro,
Akobo and the Ghibe/Omo rivers.
 Guge Mountain is the highest peak
The Western Lowlands
• Extend from Western Tigray (north) to Gamo-Gofa (South).

• They make 11% of the area of the physiographic region.
• The general elevation ranges between 500 and 1000 meters
a.s.l
Divided into 4
These are Tekeze lowland, Abay-Dinder lowland, Baro
lowland, and Ghibe lowland from north to south.
• 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.
• irrigation agriculture is highly feasible.
For example, the Baro lowland has an extensive flat
area suitable for mechanized agriculture.
3.2.2. The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands
• Located to the east of the Rift valley

• is the 2nd largest physiographic region
accounting for about 37% of the country’s total
area.
• Covers the geographical territories of the Harari
& Somali regions fully & that of Oromia &
SNNPR regions partially.
• Drained by Wabishebelle & Genalle Rivers &
their tributaries.
1. The South-eastern Highlands
A. The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
• These highlands are found to the east of the Lakes Region.
• They make up 28.5% of the area of the region and 62% of the south
- Eastern Highlands.
• The biggest by area, highest by altitude & have a central
location in the region.
• Highlands in Bale & Arssie are separated by the headstream of
Wabishebele river.
• Arssie-Bale highlands are known for cool weather crops
production such as wheat & barley.
Major peaks in Arssie include; Mt. Kara (4340 m)
Major peaks in Bale include; Mt. Tulu Deemtu (4377 m).

Sidamo Plateaus
• The Sidama Highlands are separated from the Bale Highlands
by the Ghenale river valley.
• 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.
B. The Hararghe Plateau
• This plateau is a north-easterly extension of the south-eastern
highlands.
• It extends from the Chercher highlands (south-west) to Jigjiga
(east).
• It makes up 38% of the South Eastern highlands and 17.4% of
the whole physiographic region.
• The highest mountain here is Mount Gara-Muleta (3,381 m.a.s.l).
2. The South-eastern Lowlands
• Makes up 54% of the physiographic region and around

one-fifth of the country.
This region is divided into:
I. Wabishebelle plain (60%) (Shebele lowland): which
encompass the lowlands of Ogaden & Elkere
II. Ghenale Plain (40%) (Genale lowlands): made up of
lowlands of Borena.
• Due to scarcity of rainfall, nomadic economic culture is
common in most parts of the region.
• The region is known for its big potentials of petroleum,
natural gas & large cattle population.
3.2.3. The Rift Valley
has separated the Ethiopian Highlands and Lowlands into two.
Is the smallest physiographic region covering about 19 % of the
country’s total area.
It extends from the Afar triangle to Chew Bahir for about 1,700
km2.
Altitude in the floor ranges from 125 meters below sea level at
Dallol Depression, to as high as 2,000 meters in the Lakes
region.
It is the driest & hottest region in Ethiopia
It is most sparsely populated & vegetated part of the nation.
most unstable region
it has three divisions:
A.Afar Triangle (Danakil Plain)
B. Lake’s region ( Main Ethiopian RV region)
C. Chew Bahir (Ghibe Trough).
A. The Afar Triangle
• It makes up 54% (biggest) of the Rift Valley area.
• Is altitudinal lowest & widest part of the rift valley.
Kobar Sink (125 meters b.s.l.) , Ethiopia’s lowest altitudinal point is
located here.
• Is the hottest & driest section of the rift valley where the Awash river is
the only permanently draining the area.
• Dallol Depression also known as Afar or Danakil depression is the most
attractive land feature found in this region
• Contrary to this, Mt Fentale (2007 m) which is the highest elevation in
the whole rift valley region
• Despite the predominant nature of nomadism, the region has big
potentials of edible salt, potash & irrigation agriculture.
• Lakes (Abe, Asale, and Afrera) occupy some of these basins.
B. The Main Ethiopian Rift/Central Rift
• Is the middle part locationally.

• Is the narrowest section with an average width of 50-80
km from Awash River in the north to Lake Chamo in the
south.
• Is the highest part by altitude (1000m-2000m)
• Is the most rain fed part of the rift valley, thus allowing
settled life.
• Contains several smaller lakes whose economic &
recreational value is huge enough. Included are; Ziway,
Langano, Abijatta, Shalla, Hawassa, Abaya, & Chamo.
C. The Chew Bahir Rift
• This is the smallest & most southwesterly by

location developed along the Ethio-Kenyan border.
• it is disconnected from the Lakes’ region by the
Konso highlands.
• The most spectacular land feature here is the Chew
Bahir, which is neither a true ‘bahir’ (sea water)
nor a lake water, rather it is simply a marshy land.
• Because of hot & dry climate, the region is
characterized by nomadic economic activities.
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3.

The Topography of Ethiopia

three major physiographic units

 all the area west of the Rift Valley.

 It extends from the Tekeze gorge (south) to central

The largest/biggest by area in the western highlands.

 Geographical occupies a central position in Ethiopia.

 Consists of the highlands of Wellega, Illuababora, Jimma,

• Extend from Western Tigray (north) to Gamo-Gofa (South).

• Located to the east of the Rift valley

Major peaks in Bale include; Mt. Tulu Deemtu (4377 m).

• Makes up 54% of the physiographic region and around

• Is the middle part locationally.

• This is the smallest & most southwesterly by

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