Geography of Ethiopia Study Notes

Compiled Contributors

  • Dr. Teferi Mekonnen: Addis Ababa University
  • Mr. Nigatu Gebremedhin: Wolkite University
  • Dr. Alem-meta Assefa: Wollo University
  • Dr. Binyam Moreda: Hawassa University
  • Date: September, 2019

Preface

  • The course Geography of Ethiopia was offered to all freshman students of Ethiopian Universities until 2005.
  • A curriculum revision in 2005 reduced the duration of University degree programs to three years.
  • Continuing changes in national and global contexts led the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MoSHE) to assess the educational curriculum.
    • Assessment priorities included:
    • Addressing national unity among graduates.
    • Enhancing critical thinking skills.
    • Focusing on non-cognitive, employability, and communication skills.
    • Promoting a global outlook and digital literacy.
  • Recommendations from the assessment included:
    • Incorporation of Ethiopian Geography, society, and culture.
    • Offering courses on geographic concepts significant to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa for all first-year students.

Course Objectives

  • The Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn course aims to:
    • Familiarize students with basic geographic concepts related to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
    • Provide a sense of place and time (geographic literacy) vital for producing informed and competent citizens capable of addressing spatial problems.
    • Highlight Ethiopia's location, shape, size, and natural resources and their impact on socioeconomic development.

Course Structure

  • The course is divided into four parts:

    1. Location, Shape, and Size of Ethiopia:
    • Basic skills in map reading.
    1. Physical Background and Natural Resources:
    • Geology, mineral resources, topography, climate, drainage and water resources, soil, fauna, and flora.
    1. Demographic Characteristics:
    • Implications for economic development.
    1. Economic Activities:
    • Focus on agriculture, manufacturing, service sectors, and the effects of globalization.

  • The teaching material, intended for freshman students (GeES 1011), is also a reference for course instructors.

  • Readers are made aware of:

    • The urgency of material preparation.
    • Data limitations regarding dynamic geographic components.
    • Acknowledgments to various institutions for supporting the development of the material.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
    • Geography: Definition, Scope and Themes
    • Location, Shape and Size of Ethiopia and the Horn
    • Basic Skills of Map Reading
  2. Geology of Ethiopia and the Horn
    • Introduction, Processes, Geological Time Scale, and Results
  3. Topography of Ethiopia and the Horn
    • Physiographic Divisions, Impacts on Conditions
  4. Drainage Systems and Water Resource
  5. Climate of Ethiopia and the Horn
    • Elements, Patterns, Climate Change
  6. Soils, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
  7. Population of Ethiopia and the Horn
    • Dynamics, Distribution, Socio-cultural Aspects
  8. Economic Activities in Ethiopia
    • Overview, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Services
  9. References

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Geography: Definition, Scope, and Themes

  • This chapter covers the meaning, scope, themes, and approaches within Geography, as well as the specifics regarding the location, shape, and size of Ethiopia and the Horn.
Objectives
  • Understand the meaning and scope of Geography.
  • Explain Geography’s themes.
  • Describe implications regarding the location, shape, and size of Ethiopia.
  • Acquire basic map reading skills.
1.1.1 Meaning of Geography
  • Geography is difficult to define universally due to its dynamic nature and evolving methodologies.
  • A working definition: Geography is the scientific study of the Earth focusing on spatial and temporal variations of physical, biological, and human phenomena, their interrelationships, and their dynamism across the Earth's surface.
1.1.2 Scope, Approaches, and Themes of Geography
  • Geography as a science explains arrangements of natural and cultural features on Earth's surface and is interdisciplinary, linking past and future spatial structures.
  • Scope:
    • The surface of the Earth— the interface of atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, where humans can inhabit.
Geographical Frameworks
  • Human-Physical Continuum: Links human and physical geography.
  • Topical-Regional Continuum: Focuses on systematic study of categories versus regional associations and interrelationships.
Five Basic Themes of Geography
  1. Location: A specific place or position, which can be:
    • Absolute Location: Defined by latitude and longitude.
    • Relative Location: Defined in relation to other places.
  2. Place: Physical and human aspects, including site and situation, which express unique characteristics of locations.
  3. Human-Environment Interaction: Humans interact with their environment through dependency, adaptation, and modification.
  4. Movement: Describes the translocation of people, goods, and ideas.
  5. Region: Areas with distinctive characteristics distinguishing them from adjacent areas. Formal regions have homogeneous phenomena; functional regions focus on interrelationships.

1.2 Location, Shape, and Size of Ethiopia and the Horn

  • The Horn of Africa is a region in Eastern Africa, notable for its diverse geography and cultural connections among Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
1.2.1 Location of Ethiopia
  • Ethiopia's location is expressed using:
    • Astronomical (Absolute): Bound by latitude 3°N to 15°N and longitude 33°E to 48°E.
    • Relative: In relation to neighboring countries and features, e.g., bordered by Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, and Kenya.
Implications of Ethiopia's Location
  • Climate: The tropical climate is influenced by altitude and its position between landmasses and oceans.
  • Socio-cultural: Historic interactions with major world religions due to proximity to the Middle East.
  • Political: Influenced by geopolitical interests and pressures, particularly due to its strategic location near key trade routes.
1.2.2 Size of Ethiopia
  • Size: Approximately 1,106,000 square kilometers, making it the 8th largest in Africa and the 25th globally.
    • Extent: About 1,639 km East-West and 1,577 km North-South, with about 0.7% covered by water bodies.
Effects of Size
  • Size impacts natural and human environments drastically, with advantages and disadvantages acknowledged.

Chapter Two: The Geology of Ethiopia and the Horn

2.1 Introduction

  • Overview and geological significance of Ethiopia's landforms across eras.

2.2 Geologic Processes: Endogenic and Exogenic Forces

  • Endogenic processes involve internal geological forces; exogenic processes are external forces wearing down land.

2.3 Geological Time Scale and Age Dating Techniques

  • Geological eras are divided into Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic, each marked by unique activities and changes in landforms.
2.4 Geological Processes and Resulting Landforms
2.4.1 Precambrian Era (4.5 billion - 600 million years ago)
  • Predominance of orogeny leading to mountain formation, followed by extensive denudation.
    • Formation of crystalline rocks and basement rocks that are exposed in various Ethiopian regions today.
2.4.2 Paleozoic Era (600 million - 225 million years ago)
  • Extensive denudation of mountains formed pre- era, creating a peneplained surface with limited records of this era in Ethiopia.
2.4.3 Mesozoic Era (225 - 70 million years ago)
  • Characterized by sea invasion, formation of sedimentary deposits, and potential for oil and gas reservoirs in Mesozoic rocks.
2.4.4 Cenozoic Era (70 million years ago - Present)

  • Major tectonic and volcanic activities that profoundly shaped Ethiopia's landscape, including the formation of the Rift Valley and flooding of lava cover on previous deposits.

  • Formation of the Rift Valley: Critical geological event linked to tectonic plate movements causing structural depressions, significant for its physiographic effects.