Geography of Ethiopia
Location
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
Geographic Coordinates
8 00 N, 38 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
1,119,683 Sq Km.
Water
7,444 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
5,238 Km.
Border Countries
Kenya
861 Km.
Djibouti
349 Km.
Eritrea
192 Km.
Somalia
1,600 Km.
Sudan
1,606 Km.
Length of Coastline
Unknown
Terrain
High plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Danakil Depression -125 m
Highest Point
Ras Dashen 4,620 m
Natural Resources
Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower.
Land Use
Arable Land
10%
Permanent Crops
1%
Other
89%
Irrigated Land
2,900 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management.
