Ethiopia+Geography

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Landforms
The general terrain of Ethiopia consists of a high plateau with a mountain range through the central range that is divided by the Great Rift Valley. The Great Rift Valley is 3,700 miles and stretches from Syria to Mozambique. The Great Rift Valley now is thought of more as many rifts that have created one system instead of how it was originally thought of as one major system. Ethiopia is also home to the Sof Omar Cave that is one of the longest cave systems in Africa. The Harenna Forest also lies within Ethiopia in the Bale Mountains. The forest is known for the animal species that it gives a home to. The mountains have four different regions including plains and woods. Ethiopia is home to at least 59 named volcanoes. (Ethiopia CIA Fact book, 2011) (Volcanoes of Ethiopia, 2011) (Land and People, 2011)

Climate
Varying rainfall and temperature patterns are a major result of Ethiopia's location in Africa's tropical zone. Climatic conditions based on altitude form the platform for three zones: cool, temperate, and hot; they have been part of the Ethiopian climate since the three time periods know as the dega, the weina dega, and the kolla.

The cool zone covers the central parts of the western and eastern sections of the northwest and part of the section around Harer.

The hot zone is the area surrounding the Denakil Depression, the Eritrean lowlands, the eastern Ogaden, the deep tropical valleys of the Blue Nile and Tekezé rivers, and along the edge of the Sudanese and Kenyan borders.

"Variations in precipitation throughout the country are the result of differences in elevation and seasonal changes in the atmospheric pressure systems that control the prevailing winds. Because of these factors, several regions receive rainfall throughout most of the year, but in other areas precipitation is seasonal. In the more arid lowlands, rainfall is always meager." ([|Ethiopia Geography, 2011])

Water Masses
The major water source in Ethiopia starts with Lake Tana that leads into the Blue Nile River. Lake Turkana lays mostly in Kenya with its very tip falls along the edge of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is also very close to the conjunction of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. One of the sightseeing attractions in Ethiopia is at Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls that lead into the Blue Nile. The Blue Nile is one of two tributaries that lead into the Nile River, the other being the White Nile. The portion of the Blue Nile that begins in Ethiopia is also known as Abbay and is considered holy by many people. The Blue Nile stretches for 900 miles with 500 miles being within the boundaries of Ethiopia. 59% of the water that reaches Egypt comes from the Blue Nile even though it is significantly shorter than the White Nile. Egypt is dependent on the Blue Nile for its livelihood. (Lake Tana, 2011)



Natural Resources
Ethiopia is not rich in natural resources and only has small amounts of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, and hydropower.



Ethiopia and the United States
While there aren't many similarities between these two countries there is one struggle that they have both faced in recent history. Ethiopia is currently facing a drought and has been for many years, this isn't a new struggle for them. However, the state of Texas is experiencing their pain as they have now been living in a drought for over a year. This effects their land, food, and water supply to survive.



Created by Kelly Woods © kkwoods@ilstu.edu Date Created: November 28, 2011 Date Last Modified: December 6, 2011