Geography Grade 9: Key Vocabulary from the Ethiopian Geography Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering major geography concepts from the Ethiopian Grade 9 notes.

Geography

The science that studies the earth and its surfaces, including physical and human features and their interrelations (originally described as ‘the description of the earth’ by Eratosthenes).

Absolute location

The exact position of a place on the Earth’s surface, expressed in latitude and longitude.

Relative location

The position of a place in relation to other geographic features; includes vicinal and strategic locations.

Latitude

The angular distance north or south of the equator used with longitude to locate places.

Longitude

The angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian used with latitude to locate places.

ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone)

A low-pressure zone where trade winds converge near the equator, shifting with the sun and influencing rainfall patterns.

Agro-climatic zones

Five Ethiopian zones defined by altitude and mean annual temperature: Wurch/Kur, Dega, Woina Dega, Kolla, Bereha.

Wurch/Kur

Alpine/Afro-alpine zone; very high altitude with mean temperatures often below 10°C.

Dega

Temperate agro-climatic zone at roughly 2300–3300 m, mean temperatures 10–15°C.

Woina Dega

Subtropical zone at roughly 1500–2300 m, mean temperatures 15–20°C.

Kolla

Tropical zone at roughly 500–1500 m, mean temperatures 20–30°C.

Bereha

Desert zone below 500 m, with mean temperatures above 30°C and rainfall often below 400 mm.

Geologic time scale

A system of eras and periods used to describe Earth's history: Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic.

Precambrian

Oldest and longest era (about 4.5 billion to 600 million years ago); early life and basement rocks.

Paleozoic

Era from about 600 to 250 million years ago; denudation and peneplanation; invertebrates dominant.

Mesozoic

Era from about 250 to 70 million years ago; sedimentary rocks dominate; includes Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous; dinosaurs prominent.

Cenozoic

Era from about 70 million years ago to present; includes tectonic activity forming the Rift Valley.

Rift Valley

A system of faulted depressions forming a rift; part of the Great East African Rift; includes Afar Triangle, Main Ethiopian Rift, Chew Bahir.

Endogenic force

Internal Earth forces (uplift, mountain-building, volcanism) that shape landforms.

Exogenic force

External surface processes (denudation, weathering) that wear down landforms.

Western Highlands

One of the major Ethiopian physiographic divisions; source of Abbay, Baro, Tekezze rivers; large highland area.

Southeastern Highlands

Highlands southeast of the Rift Valley; includes Hararghe, Arsi, Bale, Sidama; basalt-capped.

Afroalpine

High mountain vegetation above ~3300 m; tussock grasslands and special flora.

Forests (highland and lowland)

Highland forests (1500–3300 m) with species like Kerkha, Tid, Zigba; lowland/galleries along rivers with Sholla and Warka.

Savanna woodland

Grassland with scattered trees and shrubs; Acacia and juniper species prevalent in drier areas.

Semi-desert and desert vegetation

Xerophytic plants in hot, arid lowlands with very low rainfall.

Biotic resources

Living organisms in an ecosystem, including producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Endemic animals

Species native to Ethiopia and not found naturally elsewhere (e.g., Walia Ibex, Mountain Nyala, Gelada).

Drainage systems

Three major Ethiopian drainage patterns: Western (Mediterranean Sea drainage), Southeastern (Indian Ocean drainage), Inland (Rift Valley drainage).

Major rivers

Key Ethiopian rivers and tributaries, such as Tekezze, Abbay (Blue Nile), Baro-Akobo, Genale, Awash, Omo-Gibe.

Lakes

Prominent Ethiopian lakes like Tana, Abbaya, Chamo, Ziway, Langano, Hawassa, Abijatta, Shalla.

Population

The total number of people living in a defined area at a given time.

Population pyramid

A graphical representation of a population’s age and sex structure.

Age structure

How a population is distributed across age groups.

Age Dependency Ratio (ADR)

Ratio of dependents (0–14 and 65+) to working-age people (15–64) per 100.

Population density

Number of people per square kilometer in a given area.

Urban and rural settlement

Rural settlements are dispersed; urban settlements are nucleated and more densely populated.

Optimum population

The population size that balances resources and technology to maximize living standards.

Overpopulation

Population exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment, leading to resource strain.

Underpopulation

Resources exceed population, implying insufficient workforce to utilize all resources.

Green Legacy

Ethiopia’s government tree-planting campaign (2019 onward) to combat deforestation and climate change; aims to plant billions of trees.

Deforestation

Clearing forests without adequate replacement, leading to erosion and biodiversity loss.

Soil erosion

Wearing away of soil by water, wind, or other forces; a major problem in Ethiopian highlands.

Terracing

Creating stepped levels on slopes to slow runoff and reduce erosion.

Intercropping

Planting two or more crops in proximity to improve yields and soil health.

Contour ploughing

Ploughing along the contour lines of a slope to reduce runoff and erosion.

Climate regions (Kiremt, Belg, Meher, Bega)

Seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns in Ethiopia; Kiremt is main rainy season, Belg is spring rains, Meher is autumn rains, Bega is dry season.

Afforestation

Planting trees on non-forested lands to create new forests.

Reforestation

Replanting trees in areas previously forested but cleared.