Hawassa University

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
2024/25 Academic Year, Semester I
Course: Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn
Course code: GeES 1011 Cr. Hrs: 3
Course outline/plan
Instructor
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Course Description
This course attempts to familiarize students with the basic geographic concepts particularly in relation to
Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. It is also intended to provide students a sense of place and time
(geographic literacy) that are pivotal in producing knowledgeable and competent citizens that are able to
comprehend and analyze problems and contribute to their solutions. The course consists of four parts.
The first part provides a brief description on the location, shape and size of Ethiopia as well as basic
skills of reading maps. Part two introduces the physical background and natural resource endowment of
Ethiopia and the Horn which includes its geology and mineral resources, topography, climate, drainage
and water resources, soil, fauna and flora. The third part of the course focuses on the demographic
characteristics of the country and its implications on economic development. The fourth component of
the course offers treatment of the various economic activities of Ethiopia and the Horn which include
agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. Moreover, Ethiopia in a globalizing world is treated in
the perspectives of the pros and cons of globalization on its natural resources, population and socio-
economic conditions.

Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
 Describe the location, shape and size of Ethiopia and the Horn;
 Explain the implications of location, shape and size of Ethiopia and the Horn on the physical
environment, socioeconomic and political aspects;
 Elaborate the major geological events; the resultant landforms in Ethiopia and the Horn;
 Identify the major drainage systems and water resources of Ethiopia and their implications for
regional development and integration;
 Develop an understanding of the climate of Ethiopia, its dynamics and implications
 Examine the spatio-temporal distribution and abundance of natural vegetation, wildlife and Soil
resources ofEthiopia;
 Discuss the demographic attributes and dynamics as well as the ethnic diversity of Ethiopia;
 Read maps as well as compute basic demographic and climatic rates;
 Appreciate the biophysical and socio-cultural diversities in Ethiopia and the Horn;
 Comprehend the effects of globalization on the socioeconomic development of Ethiopian and the Horn.

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Course Contents, Methods & Strategies, and Assessment of learning
Major teaching-learning
Week

Topics to be covered activities & Assessment of

learning
Chapter 1:Introduction
1.1. Geography: Definition, scope, themes & approaches
Week 1&2

1.2. Location, Shape and Size of Ethiopia and the Horn 3 hrs Lecture
1.2.1. Location and its effects 1 hr Group discussion
1.2.2. The shape of Ethiopia and its implication 1 hr. Class work (map reading)
1.2.3. The size of Ethiopia and its implications
2 1.3 Basic Skills of Map Reading

Chapter 2: The Geology of Ethiopia & the horn

2.1. Introduction
2.2. The geologic process: Endogenic and Exogenic forces 3 hrs lecture/week
Week 3&4

2.3. The geological time scale and age dating techniques 2 hrs discussion/week
2.4. Geological processes and the resulting landforms 15 min. Video presentation
2.4.1. The Precambrian Era geologic processes 2 hrs Reading assignment (Home
2.4.2. The Paleozoic Era geologic processes take)
2.4.3. The Cenozoic Era geologic processes
2.5. Rock and Mineral resources of Ethiopia

Mid Examination (Test) 20%

Chapter 3: The Topography of Ethiopia and the horn

3.1. Introduction
3.2. Physiographic divisions 2 hrs lecture
Week 5

3.2.1. The western highlands and lowlands 1 hr discussion

3.2.2. The southern highlands and lowlands 1 hr Reading assignment
3.2.3. The rift valley
3.3. The impact of relief on biophysical & socioeconomic conditions
Chapter 4: Drainage systems and water resources of Ethiopia & the
horn
3 hrs lecture
Week 6&7

4.1. Introduction
1 hr discussion
4.2 Major drainage systems ofEthiopia
1 hr Reading assignment
4.3 Water resources: Rivers, Lakes,and subsurface water
(Home take)
4.4 General characteristics ofEthiopian rivers
4.5 Water resources potentials and Development in Ethiopia

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 Chapter 5: The Climate of Ethiopia and thehorn
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Element and controls of weather and climate 4 hrs lecture
Week 8&9

5.3. Spatiotemporal patterns, distribution of temperature & rainfall 1 hr discussion

in Ethiopia 15 Min Video Presentation
5.4. Agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia Climate and its implications 1 hr Reading assignment
on biophysical and socioeconomic aspects (Home take)
5.5. Climate change/ global warming: causes, consequences and
responsemechanisms
Chapter 6: Soils, Natural vegetation and Wildlife resources of
Ethiopia and the horn
Week 10&11

6.1 Introduction 3 hrs lecture

6.2 Ethiopian soils: types, degradation and conservation 1 hr discussion
6.3 Types and distribution of natural vegetation in Ethiopia 1 hr Reading assignment
6.4 Natural vegetation: Uses, degradation and conservation strategies (Home take)
6.5 Wildlife resources of Ethiopia: Types, Importance, and conservation
strategies
Chapter 7: Population of Ethiopia and the horn
7.1. Introduction
Week 12 & 13

7.2. Population data: uses and sources 3 hrs lectur

7.3. Population dynamics: Fertility, Mortality and migration 2 hrs discussion
7.4. Population distribution and composition 2 hrs Reading assignment
7.5. Sociocultural aspects of Ethiopian population
7.6. Settlement types and patterns
Chapter 8: Economic activities in Ethiopia
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Mining, fishing and forestry
Week 14

8.3. Agriculture in Ethiopia: Contributions, potentials & characteristics

8.4. Manufacturing in Ethiopia:Essence and contributions 4 Hrs Reading Assignment
8.5. The service sector in Ethiopia
8.5.1 Transportation and communication in Ethiopia
8.5.2. Tourism in Ethiopia:

Group Assignment (20%)

Revision and Tutorial 2 Hrs
Week 15
Group Assignment Submission 1 Hr

Methods of Assessment
 Assignment (20%)
 Mid Exam (20%)
 Final Exam (60%)

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Course Policy
A student has to:
 Attend at least 85% of the classes.
 Take all continuous assessments and mid exam.
 Take final examination.
 Respect all rules and regulations of the university.

References/Instructional Resources:
Text book
 Module of Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn
 Addis Ababa University (2001). Introductory geography of Ethiopia, Teachers Text,
Department of Geography
 Awulachew S.B., et al (2007). Water resources and irrigation development in
Ethiopia. Colombo, Srilanka: IWMI (working paper 123).
 Paolo Billi (2015). Landscape and Landforms of Ethiopia. Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New
York, London.
Reference
Abbate E., Bruni P., Sagri M. (2015) Geology of Ethiopia: a review and geomorphological
perspectives.
Assefa M., Melese W., Shimelis G. (2014). Nile river Basin; Eco hydrological
challenges, climate change and hydropolitics. Springer International Publishing,
Switzerland.
Engdawork Assefa (2015). Characterization and classification of major agricultural soils
in CASCEP intervention Wereda„s in the central highlands of Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Addis
Ababa University
Eyasu Elias (2016). Soils of the Ethiopian Highlands: Geomorphology and
properties. CASCAPE Project, ALTRA, Wageningen University and Research Center
(Wageningen UR). The Netherlands. 385 pp
Laurence G., Jeremias M., Tilahun A., Kenneth M. (2012). Integrated Natural Resource
Management in The Highlands of Eastern Africa; From Concept to Practice. New York,
Earthscan.
Ministry of Agriculture/MOA/ (1998). Agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia: Natural
Resources Management andRegulatory Department, Addis Ababa.
Robert, E.G, James, F.P & Michael T. (2007). Essentials of physical geography.
Thomson Higher education, Belmont, 8th edition.
Solomom T., Jean-Pierre M., Yves D., (2003). Geology and mineral potential of
Ethiopia: a note on geologyand mineral map of Ethiopia. Elsever Ltd.

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