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Cont.….
CHAPTER THREE Taking 1,000 m contour line for the highland-lowland demarcation,
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIAAND THE HORN Characteristics of Ethiopian highlands and lowlands:
3.1. Introduction Highlands (56%) Lowlands (44%)
• The topography of Ethiopia is largely determined by the geologic  Moderate and high amount of  Fewer amounts of rainfall and
activities of the Cenozoic Era. rainfall (>600mm/ year). higher temperature.
 Lower mean annual temperature  High prevalence of tropical
(<20°C). diseases.
Objectives  The climate is favourable for  Lower population density.
• At the end of this chapter, the learners will be able to: biotic life.  Nomadic and semi-nomadic
• Describe the topography of Ethiopia and the Horn.  Rain-fed agriculture is possible. economic life.
• Identify the physiographic divisions of Ethiopia.  Free from tropical diseases.  Vast plain lands favourable for
 Attractive for human habitation irrigation agriculture along the
• Elucidate the physiographic characteristics of the Rift Valley.
and densely settled lower river basins.
• Explain the impacts of relief on biophysical and socioeconomic
conditions
Highlands have been significant throughout Ethiopian history in the economic, cultural and
political life of the people.
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3.1. General Characteristics of the Ethiopian Physiography 3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia
Three major physiographic units can be identified in Ethiopia:
 Ethiopian landform is characterized by great diversity.
1. The Western Highlands and Lowlands
 There are flat-topped plateaus, high and rugged mountains, deep • The Western Highlands
river gorges and vast plains. a. The Tigray Plateau
 Altitude ranges from 125mbsl (Kobar Sink) to Mount Ras Dashen b. North Central Massifs
(4,620 masl) 1st in Ethiopia and 4th in Africa. c. The Shewa Plateau/central highlands
d. The Southwestern Highlands
 Ethiopia has the largest proportion of elevated landmass in the • The Western Lowlands: Tekeze, Abay-Dinder, Baro, and Ghibe
African continent. 50%>1000, 44%> 1500, 22%>2000 m.s.s.l 2. The Southeastern Highlands and Lowlands
 Most of the Ethiopian Highlands are part of central and northern – The Southeastern Highlands
Ethiopia, and its northernmost portion extends into Eritrea which is • A. The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
encircled by semi-arid and lowlands. • B. The Hararghe Plateau
It is sometimes described as the: Roof of East Africa because of its – The Southeastern Lowlands
height and large area and “Water Tower of East Africa” because of 3. The Rift Valley : i. The Afar Triangle, ii. The Main Ethiopian
many rivers and streams that originate from its highlands. Rift/Central Rift and iii. The Chew Bahir Rift
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The Western Lowlands: Cont.….

• Extend from Western Tigray in the north to southern Gamo-Gofa in
the South.
• The general elevation ranges between 500 - 1000M above sea level.
• These are Tekeze lowland, Abay-Dinder lowland, Baro lowland, and
Ghibe lowland from north to south.
• Except Baro lowland, the region is generally characterized by arid
or semi-arid conditions.
• As one moves northwards, the degree of aridity increases, making
rain-fed agriculture more difficult.
• Since one or two rivers cross all of these lowlands, irrigation
agriculture is highly feasible. Ex., the Baro lowland has an extensive
flat area suitable for mechanized agriculture.
• The Ghibe/Omo lowland, which includes the lower Ghibe/Omo -
structurally it also belongs to the Rift Valley is classified as western
lowland, which is both faulted and tectonically depressed.
• Consist of small but important towns Humera, Metema, Omedla,
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Kurmuk, Gambella etc.

3.2. The Physiographic Divisions of Ethiopia cont… The Southeastern Highlands

1. The Western Highlands and Lowlands A.The Arsi-Bale-Sidama Highlands
Includes all the area west of the Rift Valley and makes up about 44% of
• Found to the east of the Lakes Region., Located in the SE section.
the area of the country. Further subdivided into four groups of
• 28.5% of the area of the region and 62% of the south - Eastern
highlands (76.3%) and four groups of lowlands (23.7%).
Highlands.
The Western Highlands are: • The highest mount Tulu-Demtu (4,377 m.a.s.l) – also consist of Kaka
A. The Tigray Plateau (13%):- It extends from the Tekeze gorge in the (4,180), Bada (4,139) and Chilalo (4,036) m.a.s.l are well known.
south to central Eritrean highlands. • Bale and Arsi highlands separated by Wabishebelle River.
B. North Central Massifs (largest):- is the largest in the W highlands. It • The Arsi-Bale Highlands are important grain producing areas.
consists of the Gonder, Wello and Gojjam Massifs. Out of the 26 mountain • The Sidama and Bale Highlands are separated by Ghenale river
peaks with altitude > 4,000 m.a.s.l, 19 mountain peaks are found in this valley.
physiographic region.
C. The Shewa Plateau/central highlands (11%):- is bounded by the Rift
• The Sidama – Jemjem plateau, an important coffee growing area.
Valley in the E and SE, by the Abay gorge in its N and W limit, and the • Rivers Wabishebelle and Ghenale - dissected the physiographic
Omo gorge in the S and W. This plateau occupies a central region.
geographical position in Ethiopia. • Specially, Weyb River, tributary of Ghenale, has cut an underground
D. The Southwestern Highlands (22.7%):- 2nd largest, consists of the passage (Sof Omar cave) through the Mesozoic Limestone rocks -
highlands of Wellega, Illuababora, Jimma, Kaffa, Gamo and Gofa. The World's most spectacular and magnificent view accessible only by an
region is the second largest in the Western highlands. underground stream.
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The Southeastern Highlands …. 3. The Rift Valley

B. The Hararghe Plateau
• The Rift Valley is a tectonically formed structural depression.
• Is north-easterly extension of the south-eastern highlands.
• separated the Ethiopian Highlands and Lowlands into two.
• Extends from Chercher highlands in SW to Jigjiga in the E. • It covers 18% of the area of Ethiopia.
• 38% of the South Eastern highlands and 17.4% of the whole • It is elongated and funnel shaped, with a NE-SW orientation that
extends for ~1700km2
physiographic region.
• It opens out in the Afar Triangle(widest), and narrows down to the
• Is smallest proportion of upper highland (>2,000 meters). south.
• Is low lying and elongated region that is rising sharply from the RV • The floor of the Rift Valley is made up of interconnected troughs,
floor grabens and depressions.
• Volcanic rocks, fluvial and lacustrine deposits cover the floor.
• Immediately but gently descends E and southeastward and the left-
• In many places, numerous volcanic domes, hills and cinder cones rise
bank tributaries of Wabishebelle drain it. from the floor.
• Mesozoic rocks are extensively exposed. • Altitude in the floor ranges from 125 m.b.s.l at Dallol Depression, to
as high as 2,000 m.a.s.l in the Lakes region.
• Mount Gara-Muleta (3,381 m.a.s.l) is the highest
• It is further subdivided into three physiographic sub-regions: 70

Cont.…. The Rift Valley …

The Southeastern Lowlands
1. The Afar Triangle: the largest and widest part of the Rift Valley,
• Is located in the southeastern part of the country and most extensive generally hot and dry,
lowlands in Ethiopia.
• Altitude varies between 1000m.a.s.l (west of Danakil depression) and
• 54% of the area of the physiographic region and around 1/5th of the country.
125m.b.s.l (shores of lake Asal), the lowest subaerial point in Africa.
This region is divided into 1) Wabishebelle plain (60%) and Ghenale Plain
(40%). • The economic importance: salt extraction, irrigation along the Awash
River and geothermal energy.
They include
• the plains of Ogaden, Elkere, and Borena. 2.The Main Ethiopian Rift/ central rift
• Southeastward sloping plains • many places is dotted by cinder cones and volcanic mountains.
• These extensive plains are interrupted here and there, by low hills, low • narrow belt that extends from Awash River (N) to Lake Chamo (S).
ridges, inselbergs and by shallow and broad river valleys and depressions. • average width of 50-80 Km and elevation of 1,000-2,000 m.a.s.l.
• harsh climatic conditions, • The economic importance: rain fed agriculture, agriculture/irrigation,
• Little used and support very small population - sparsely inhabited by and geothermal energy.
pastoral and semi-pastoral communities.
3. The Chew Bahir Rift :smallest and the southern-most .
• The economic potential - animal husbandry, irrigation, agriculture and
perhaps exploitation of petroleum and natural gas. • broad and shallow depression, which is a marshy area covered by tall
grass, into which the Segen and Woito streams empty. 71
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Cont…
3.3. The Impacts of Relief on Biophysical and
Socioeconomic Conditions
 Agricultural practices
Settlement pattern
Transportation and communication
Hydroelectric power potential
Socio-cultural feeling
Impacts on climate
Impacts on soil

Impacts on natural vegetation

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