Course outline

Course information
Name of the course: Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn
Course code: GeEs 1011 Credit Hour: 3
Target group: All first year undergraduate students
Course Description:
This Course attempts to familiarize students with the basic geographic concepts particularly in relation to Ethiopia
and the Horn of Africa. It is also intended to provide students a sense of place and time (geographic literacy) that are
pivotal in producing knowledgeable and competent citizens that are able to comprehend and analyze problems so
that they act locally and globally to contribute to their solutions. The Course consists of four parts, the first part
provides a brief description on the location, shape and size of Ethiopia as well as basic skill of reading maps. Part
two introduces the physical back ground and natural resources endowments of Ethiopia which includes its geology
and mineral resources, topography, climate, drainage and water resources, soil, flora and fauna. The third part of the
Course focuses on the demographic characteristics of the country and its implications on economic development.
The fourth component of the Course offers treatment of the various economic activities of Ethiopia which include
agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. Moreover Ethiopia in a globalizing world is treated in the perspective
of the pros and the cons of globalization on its natural resources, population and socio-economic conditions.

Course objectives: up on the completion of this Course the students will be able to:
 Describe the location, shape and size of Ethiopia and explain their implementations on the physical environment, socio
economic and political aspects.
 Elaborate the major geological events; the resultant land forms identify the major drainage systems and water
resources of Ethiopia and their implication for regional development and integration.
 Develop an understanding of the climate of Ethiopia, its dynamics and implications on the livelihoods of its inhabitants
 Examine the spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of natural vegetation, wild life and soil resources of Ethiopia.
 Discus the demographic attributes and dynamics as well as the ethnic diversity of Ethiopia.
 Explain the major types of economic activities in Ethiopia, discus their spatio temporal distribution and their contribution
to the overall development of the country.
 Evaluate the effects of globalization on the socioeconomic development of Ethiopia and the Horn
CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION
1.1. Geography: Definition, Scope and Themes
1.1.1. Meaning of Geography
1.1.2. The Scope, Approaches and Themes of Geography
1.2. Location, Shape and Size of Ethiopia and the Horn
1.2.1. Location of Ethiopia
1.2.2. Size of Ethiopia
1.2.3. The shape of Ethiopia and its Implication
1.3. Basic Skills of Map Reading
CHAPTER TWO: THE GEOLOGY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Origin of the Universe: The Big Bang Theory
2.3. The Theory of Continental Drift
2.4. The Geologic Processes: Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
2.5. The Geological Time Scale and Age Dating Techniques
2.6. Geological Processes and the Resulting Landforms of Ethiopia and the Horn
2.7. Rock and Mineral Resources of Ethiopia
CHAPTER THREE: THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
3.1. Introduction
3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia
3.2.1. The Western Highlands and Lowlands
3.2.2. The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands
3.2.3. The Rift Valley
3.3. The Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and Socioeconomic Conditions
CHAPTER FOUR: DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WATER RESOURCE OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Major Drainage System of Ethiopia
4.3. Water Resources: Rivers, Lakes and Sub-Surface Water
4.3.1. The Ethiopian Rivers
4.3.2. The Ethiopian Lakes
4.3.3. Subsurface (Ground) Water Resource of Ethiopia
4.4. Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia
CHAPTER FIVE: THE CLIMATE OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
5.2. Elements and Controls of Weather and Climate
5.3. Spatiotemporal Patterns and Distribution of Temperature and Rainfall in Ethiopia
5.3.1. Spatiotemporal Distribution of Temperature
5.5. Climate Change/Global Warming: Causes, Consequences and Response Mechanisms
5.5.1. Current Trends of Climate in Ethiopia
5.5.2. Causes of Climate Change
5.5.3. Consequences of Climate Change
5.5.4. Climate Response Mechanisms
CHAPTER SIX: SOILS, NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES OF ETHIOPIA AND THE
HORN
6.2. Ethiopian Soils: Types, Degradation and Conservation
6.2.2. Major Soil Types in Ethiopia
6.2.3. Soil Degradation
6.2.4. Soil Erosion Control Measures
6.3. Natural Vegetation of Ethiopia
6.4. Wild Life/wild animals in Ethiopia
CHAPTER SEVEN: POPULATION OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN
7.2. Population Data: Uses and Sources
7.3. Population Dynamics: Fertility, Mortality and Migration
7.4. Population Distribution in Ethiopia
7.5. Socio-cultural Aspects of Ethiopian Population: Education, Health and Languages
7.6. Settlement Types and Patterns
CHAPTER EIGHT: ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN ETHIOPIA
8.1. Introduction 8.2. Agriculture in Ethiopia
8.2.1. Contributions, potentials and characteristics of agriculture in Ethiopia
8.2.3. Agriculture Systems in Ethiopia
8.2.4. Major problems of Ethiopian agriculture
8.3. Manufacturing Industry in Ethiopia
8.3.2. Types and characteristics of manufacturing
8.3.3. The Spatial Distribution of Manufacturing Industries in Ethiopia
8.4. The Service Sector in Ethiopia
8.4.2. Transportation and communication in Ethiopia: types, roles and characteristics
8.4.3. Tourism in Ethiopia: Types, major tourist attraction sites, challenges and prospects
Teaching methodology: Lecture, peer/ group discussion and reflection, reading assignment
Assessment method: Paper and presentation (20%), Mid exam (30%) and Final exam (50%)
REFERENCES:
 Addis Ababa University (2001), Introductory Geography of Ethiopia, Teaching Text, Department of
Geography
 Assefa M., Melese W., Shemels G. (2014) , Nile River Basin, Eco hydrological Challenges, Climate Change
and Hydro Politics, Springer International Publishing, Switzerland.
 B.D Ray (1989). Economics for Agriculture: Food, Farming and the Rural Economy. MacMillan. CSA 1994 &
2007, Population and Housing Census Result. CSA: A.A.
 Diao, Xinshen, 2007. The Role of Agriculture in Economic Development: Implications for the Sub Saharan
Africa. Sustainable Solution for Ending Hunger and Poverty, Research Report 153. IFPRI. Ethiopia
 Engdawork Assefa (2015). Characterization and Classification of major agricultural soils in CASCEP
intervention woredasin the central highlands of Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa University.
 FDRE 2001 Ministry of Water Resource, National Meteorological Survey, A.A.
 Hartshorne, T. & J. Alexander (1988). Economic Geography 3rd , Ed.