Course Title: Ethiopian Geography &

the Horn (GeES 1011)

Target Group: All Freshman Program Students
Credit Hour: 3
Modality: Semester Based

By: Feyisa Danu

 Course Content

1. Introduction
2. The Geology
3. The topography
4. Drainage systems and water resource
5. The climate
6. Soils, natural vegetation and wildlife resources
7. Population
8. Economic activities
 CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the learners will be able to:

 Comprehend the meaning and scope of Geography.
 Explain the themes of Geography.
 Explicate the implications of location, shape and size of Ethiopia
and the Horn on the physical environment, socioeconomic and
political aspects.
 Acquire basic skills of map reading.
1.1. Geography: Definition, Scope and Themes

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 Can we ffiin nd a si
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 Geography: Definition, Scope and Themes

Definition
 It is difficult to forward a definition acceptable to all geographers
because of;
– the dynamic nature of the discipline and
– the changes in its scope and method of study.
 The acceptable working definition stated as;

Geography is the scientific study of the Earth that describes and

analyses spatial and temporal variations of physical, biological and
human phenomena, and their interrelationships and dynamism over the
surface of the Earth.
 1.1.2. The Scope, Approaches and Themes of Geography

The Scope of Geography

 Geography has now acquired the status of science that
explains the arrangements of various natural and
cultural features on the Earth surface.
 Geography is a holistic and interdisciplinary.

6
 Cont’d…
• The scope of Geography is the surface of the Earth, which is the
very thin zone that is the interface of the;
• Atmosphere - gaseous envelope
• Lithosphere – realm of solid earth
• Hydrosphere – realm of water
• Biosphere – realm of living things
• Anthroposphere - realm of humanized areas which provides
the habitable zone in which humans are able to live.
 Cont'd...
Approaches of Geography
 There are two basic approaches to the study of geography
 Geography can be approached by considering two continuums:
 Topical (systematic) fields of Geography view particular
categories of physical or human phenomena as distributed
over the Earth
 Regional geography is concerned with the associations within
regions of all or some of the elements and their
interrelationships.
 Themes of Geography
Geography has five “Key Spatial Themes”
o Location
o Place
o Human-environment interaction
o Movement and
o Region.
 Location

 Location is a particular place or position.

 Specific location, where ?
 Location can be of two types:
 Absolute location and
 Relative location.

12
 Place

 Place refers to the physical and human aspects of a location.

 What is the character of a place?
 This theme of geography is associated with:-
 toponym (the name of a place),
 site (the description of the features of the place), and
 situation (the environmental conditions of the place).
 Human-Environment Interaction

 Humans have always been on ceaseless interaction with

their natural environment.

 No other species that has lived on our planet has a

profound effect on the environment as humans.

 How do people interact with the natural environment of a

place?
 Cont’d…
Human-environment interaction involves three distinct aspects:
 Dependency refers to the ways in which humans are
dependent on nature for a living.

 Adaptation relates to how humans modify themselves, their

lifestyles and their behavior to live in a new environment
with new challenges.

 Modification allowed humans to “conquer” the world for

their comfortable living.
 Movement
Movement entails to the translocation of
human beings, their goods, and their ideas
from one end of the planet to another.

d s , and id e as
p le , go o
How do peo es ?
ee n p la c
move betw
 Region
 A region is a geographic area having distinctive characteristics
that distinguishes itself from adjacent unit(s) of space.

 It could be a formal region that is characterized by homogeneity

in terms of a certain phenomenon (soil, temperature, rainfall, or
other cultural elements like language, religion, and economy).

 It can also be a functional or nodal region characterized by

functional interrelationships in a spatial system defined by the
linkages binding particular phenomena.

17
 1.2. Location, Shape and Size of Ethiopia and the
Horn
 The Horn of Africa, a region of eastern Africa, is a narrow tip that protrudes
into the northern Indian Ocean, separating it from the Gulf of Aden.

 It is the easternmost extension of African land that is home to the countries

of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, whose cultures have been
linked throughout their long history.

 In terms of size, Ethiopia is the largest of all the Horn of African countries,
while Djibouti is the smallest.

 The Horn contains such diverse areas as the highlands of the Ethiopian
Plateau, the Ogaden desert, and the Eritrean and Somali coasts.
 1.2.1. Location of Ethiopia
Tigray
Astronomical location 15°N
 Also known as absolute or mathematical location,
states location of places using the lines of latitudes
and longitudes.
A.
 Astronomically, Ethiopia is a landlocked country 9°N
Akobo A.
located between;
 3oN (Moyale) and 15oN (Bademe - the Ogaden
northernmost tip of Tigray) latitudes and
 33oE (Akobo) to 48oE (the tip of Ogaden in the
3°N
east) longitudes. Moyale
 The east west distance (15°) is longer than the 0°
north-south distance (12°).
0° 33° E 38°45ʹ E 48°E
 Straight line distance and geographical center

 The straight line distance b/n the northern

and the southern most points of Ethiopia is
about:
= 3 ° - 15 ° = 12° *111km= 1332 km.
• The Straight line distance b/n eastern and
western most points
= 33 ° - 48 ° = 15° *111km= 1665 km.
• Geographic center of Ethiopia
= 3+15 = 9 N , 33+48 = 40.5 E
2 2
= (9°N, 40.5°E )
 Cont'd....
 The latitudinal and longitudinal extensions are important in two
ways.
1. As a result of its latitudinal extension the country experiences
tropical climate
2. Due to its longitudinal extension there is a difference of one
hour between the most easterly and most westerly points of the
country.
 Cont'd....

Relative location
 The location of countries or places with reference to the location of
other countries (vicinal), landmasses or water bodies.

In relation to other countries (Vicinal In relation to water bodies & land

location) masses
 Sudan to the west and northwest  In the Horn of Africa
 South Sudan to southwest  Southwest of the Arabian
 Djibouti to the east Peninsula
 Somalia to the east and southeast  South of Europe
 Eritrea to the north and northeast  Northwest of the Indian Ocean
 Kenya to the south  In the Nile Basin

23
Relative Location of Ethiopia
Map of Ethiopia's location in relation to its neighboring
countries

Source: Africa Map Library 25

 The implications of the location of Ethiopia are
described as follows:
a) Climate:
 Located between 30N and 150N (between the Equator and Tropic of Cancer) Ethiopia has a
tropical climate
 The climate is modified by its altitude
b) Socio-cultural:
 Ethiopia is one of the earliest recipients of the major world religions namely Christianity, Islam
and Judaism.
 This is due to its proximity to the Middle East, which was the origin of these religions.
 The linguistic and other cultural relationships, which Ethiopia shares with its neighbors, reflect
the influence of location.
c) Political:
The political history of Ethiopia has been considerably influenced by:
 Geopolitical considerations of superpowers.
 Adjacency to the Red Sea (a major global trade route).
 The Middle East geopolitical paradigms.
 1.2.2. Size of Ethiopia

 Total area of approximately 1,106,000 square kilometers is the 8th

largest country in Africa and 25th in the World.
 It extends about 1,639 kilometers East-West, and 1,577 kilometers
North-South.
 About 0.7% of the country is covered by water bodies.
 The size of Ethiopia affects both the natural and human
environment of the country.

How the size of Ethiopia benefits/affects the

natural and human environment of the
country?
27
 Cont'd.....
Advantages and disadvantages of Ethiopia’s large size

Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages

Possess diverse agro ecological zones Demands greater capital to construct
infrastructural facilities

Variety of natural resources Requires large army to protect its territory

Own extensive arable land Difficult for effective administration

Have larger population size Difficult for socio-economic integration

Home for diverse cultures

Greater depth in defense external invasion
 1.2.3. The shape of Ethiopia and its Implication

 Countries shape can be divided into five main categories

o Compact,
o Fragmented
o Elongated
o Perforated, and
o Protruded.
 These shapes have implications on defense, administration and economic
integration within a country.

29
 Cont’d…

Compact shape countries:

o The distance from the
geographic center of the state
to any of the borders does not
vary greatly.
o It is easier for defense,
socioeconomic and cultural
integration.
 …

Fragmented shape countries:

o They are divided from their other
parts by either water, land or other
countries.
o Governing such a country is
difficult.
 Cont’d…
Elongated shape countries:
o They are geographically
long and relatively narrow
like Chile.
o Difficult for governance

Perforated shape countries:

o A country that completely surrounds
another country like the Republic of
South Africa.
o Vatican City and San Marino both
independent countries are surrounded
by Italy.
 …

Protrude shape countries:

– Countries that have one portion that
is much more elongated than the
rest of the country like Myanmar and
Eritrea.
Cont’d…
 Ways of measuring shape of countries
 These measures are known as the indices of compactness.
 These indices measure the deviation of the shape of a country
from a circular shape, which is the most compact shape.
 There are four measures of degree of compactness
a) The Area-Boundary Ratio (A/B) Or the Boundary-Area
Ratio(B/A)
b) The boundary-circumference ratio (B/C)
c) The Area-Circumference ratio (A/C)
d) The actual area-area of the inscribing circle (A/A’)
35
 a. Area-Boundary (A/B) ratio.
•  The ratio of area of country to its boundary length
 The higher the A/B ratio, the greater the degree of
compactness.
Example :
• Actual area of Ethiopia =
• Total boundary length of Ethiopia =
= 210.27km
• This means that effectively defending 1km boundary length ,
Ethiopia can defend about 210.27km2 of its total area.
 b. Boundary-Circumference (B/C) ratio
• The ratio of boundary length of a country to the circumference of a
circle having the same area as the country itself
• It measures how far the boundary of a country approximates the
circumference of a circle of its own size.
• the nearer the ratio to 1 the more compact the country is.
• To calculate B/C ratio , we need two things.
These are:
– Total boundary length and
– The conference of a circle having the same area as the country under
consideration.
 Example: Let us calculate the B/C ratio of Ethiopia
• Total boundary length of Ethiopia: = 5260km
 
 Circumference of a circle having area similar to area of Ethiopia (=1,106,000 km2).
C=2πr
 The value of π is 3.14 , while the value of “r” is derived from the circle whose area is
equal to Ethiopia's area ( i.e. 1,106,000km2).
A= πr
1,106,000 km2 = πr
r = 352,229.3
Hence, r= 593.5
C = 2πr
= 2 x 3.14 x 593.5 = 3727.1
B/C ratio = 5260
3727.1
= 1.411
 c. Area-Circumference (A/C) ratio.

• The ratio of the area of the country to the circumference of the

smallest inscribing circle
• It compares the area of the country with the circumference of a circle
that passes touching the extreme points on the boundary of the
country.
• The higher the A/C ratio, the greater the degree of compactness.
 Let us calculate the A/C ratio of Ethiopia

• To calculate the circumference of the •Circumference

  (C) = 2πr
smallest inscribing circle passing = 2x 3.14 x 593.5
through the extreme points of = 3727.18km
Ethiopia, we use the formula
A/C ratio = (1106000𝑘𝑚 )
2πr
3727.18km
= 296.74km
 d. Area-Area (A/A‟) ratio.
• The ratio of the actual area of a country to the smallest possible
inscribing circle
• The area of the inscribing circle is the area of the smallest possible circle
whose circumference passes through the extreme points on the boundary.
• Half-length of the longest distance between two extreme points gives
radius of the inscribing circle.
• The nearer the ratio to 1, the more compact the country is.
• The value of
“A”= 1,106,000km2
• The value of
A’ is = πr2.
 …
• To determine the value of “r”, we use the •  Hence, the area of inscribing
difference b/n the east and west (the circle is:
longest) extreme points , i.e. = 3.14 x(832.5km)2
= 48 degree E – 33 degree E = 15 degree
= 3.14 x 693056.25km2
(diameter)
= 2,176,196.6 km 2
• Radius is the half of diameter
A/A” Ratio
r = 7.5 degree
=
1 degree = 111km
= 0.508
7.5 = ?
(111km x 7.5 = 832.5km)
Cont’d…

44
 1.3. Basic Skills of Map Reading

 What is a Map?
 Types of Map?
 What are the importance of map?

45
 …
What is a Map?
 A map is a two-dimensional scaled representation of part or whole
of the Earth surface on a flat body such as piece of paper, black
board, wood or cloth.

 Map reading encompasses a systematic identification

 Natural features (mountains, plateaus, hills, valleys, river,
ocean, rocks, plain) and
 Manmade features (roads, railway, buildings, dam etc.).
 …

• Many disciplines use maps, they have a special significance for

Geographers as primary tools for displaying and analyzing
spatial distributions, patterns and relations.

• Maps are perhaps the most important tools of a geographer

 Importance of maps..

o Provide the geographical facts of an area such as relief, drainage,

settlement etc.
o Maps are powerful tools for making spatial analysis of geographical facts
of areas represented.
o Maps are useful for giving location of geographical features by varied
methods of grid reference, place naming etc.
o Maps are used on various disciplines like land use planning, military
science, aviation, tourism, marine science, population studies,
epidemiology, geology, economics, history, archaeology, agriculture etc.
o Maps are potentially used to asses ‟reliable measurements of the
geographical features. The measurements can be of area size, distance etc.
48
 Types of Map
o There are many types of maps according to their purpose and functions.
o For the purpose of this course, topographical and statistical maps are considered.
a. Topographical maps:
• A topographic map is a detailed and accurate two-dimensional representation of
natural and human-made features on the Earth's surface.
• They could be small, medium or large scale depending on the size of the area
represented.
• Contents of topographical maps depend on
– purpose of a map,
– scale of a map,
– date of compilation, and
– nature of the land represented.
49
Topographical
maps SE Addis
Ababa
 …

b. Special purpose/statistical maps

• Special purpose maps are designed or created for the special purpose,
which show distribution of different aspects such as temperature,
rainfall, settlement, vegetation etc.
– For example a DEM (digital information model) which shows only
the elevation value
 Marginal Information on Maps (Elements of Maps)

 Marginal information is shown on a map to enable the reading and

interpretation of the geographical information of an area represented. This
includes:
a. Title - it identifies the map
b. Key (legend) - To interpret the meaning of symbols/visual
variables used for different object
c. Scale - ratio of a measure on map to ground
d. North arrow - To designate map Orientation by showing the
Geographic North
e. Margin - is the frame of the map used to show the end of the mapped area.
f. Date of compilation – It is a date of map publication. It is used to know
whether the map is updated or outdated.
 Cont’d…
Basic Principles of Map Reading
 In developing map reading abilities and skills, certain basic principles must be applied by
the map-reader to translate map symbols into landscape images.
1. Map symbol
• Every map symbol must be visualized by the reader to read a map.
2. Knowledge of directions
• North Arrow
3. Grid
• Maps are covered in a series of lines that make up a grid.
• The lines have numbers accompanying them that allow you to accurately pinpoint
your location on a map. These series of numbers, is known as a grid reference.

53
 A Well-Designed Map

• Clarity = Being a cartographer is not enough

• Order = Overall layout of map elements
• Balance = Proportionality of symbols/texts
• Visual Contrast = Shouldn’t be distracting
• Visual Hierarchy = Avoid unwanted details
• Unity and Harmony = Consistency

 Together these form a system for seeing and

understanding the relative importance of the
content in the map and on the page.
 D !!
E EN
TH