Map

Location

Ethiopia is located in north eastern part of Africa, what is sometimes referred to as the "Horn of Africa." It is bordered by Eritrea in the north (912 km), Kenya in the South (830 km), Djibouti and Somalia in the east (337 km and 1,626 km respectively), and the Sudan in the west (1,606 km). [See map above]

Size

Ethiopia is a country with a total area of 1,127,127 square km, of which 7,444 square km is water bodies. Comparatively, Ethiopia is slightly less than twice the size of Texas, USA or Britain and France put together.

Coastline

With the independence of Eritrea on the 27th of April 1993, Ethiopia became a landlocked country. It has no coastline and has no maritime claims. [See map above]

Topography

The Ethiopian topography is best expressed as a complex blend of massive highlands, highly rugged terrain, and remarkable valleys divided by the Great Rift Valley running from southwest to northeast surrounded by lowlands, steppes, and semi-desert. This great terrain diversity is responsible for wide variations in climate, soil, natural vegetation, and settlement pattern. The highest point in Ethiopia is Ras Dashen at 4,620m (15,157ft) and the lowest point is Denakil at 125m (410ft) below sea level.

Natural Resources

Ethiopia has largely undetermined reserves of natural resources such as gold, platinum, copper, potash, and natural gas. Approximately 12% of the land is arable. Other land usage comprises of permanent crops (1%), permanent pastures (40%), forests and woodland (25%), and other (22%). Ethiopia is endowed with rich and unique flora and fauna. Approximately 11% of the six to seven thousand plant species that are believed to occur in Ethiopia only exist in there. The fauna is also quite unique in that many, including large mammals such as Walia, Ibex, Semien Fox, and Agazen, exist only in Ethiopia.

Environmental Issues and Natural Hazards

The major environmental issues facing the country include deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, and desertification. Natural hazards include a geologically active Great Rift Valley, which is susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Drought also occurs frequently; and the economy’s heavy reliance on rain water amplifies its effects resulting in severe food shortages and famines.