Geography & environment — Ethiopia
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Ethiopia: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
8 00 N, 38 00 E
- Total Area
426,370 Square Miles 1,104,300 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
386,100 Square Miles 1,000,000 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
40,270 Square Miles 104,300 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
3,311 Miles 5,328 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
High plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
- Highest Point
4,620 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Ras Dejen 4,620 m
- Lowest Point
-125 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Denakil Depression -125 m
- Natural Resources
Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
1,118 Square Miles 2,896 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
The climate varies from temperate in the highlands to hot in the lowlands. Addis Ababa's altitude is above 8,000 feet. Addis Ababa has two primary seasons: a dry season from October to February, and for the rest of the year, a rainy season, divided into "small rains" and "big rains." The small rains, February through April, are generally intermittent showers. The big rains, June through September or longer, usually bring heavy daily precipitation. The big rains are rarely continuous, and sunny mornings or afternoons can be expected on many days. Average annual rainfall in Addis Ababa is 50 inches. Daytime temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. The dry season has bright, sunny days with moderate to cool temperatures; nights are chilly. The average daily temperature in Addis Ababa is 62.9°F. Daytime temperatures are rarely above 80°F. Sharp drops in temperature occur in late afternoon, sometimes making outside entertainment uncomfortable after 5 p.m. Night temperatures drop to the low 40’s from November to January and are warmer in the period from February to May.
- Terrain
High plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
- Location
Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
- Total Area
426,370 Square Miles 1,104,300 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
Deforestation
overgrazing
soil erosion
desertification
water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management
- Environment - International Agreements
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
