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Geographic Determinism in Ethiopia

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Introduction

The proximity of Ethiopia to the Middle East and its markets makes it an ideal launching

pad for trade in the Horn of Africa. Because Ethiopia is surrounded by land (and borders Eritrea,

Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan), it has relied on Djibouti's main port for its

international trade for the past two decades. The whole landmass of Ethiopia is Ethiopian-

occupied and Ethiopian-controlled (420,000 sq. mi). Its 115 million residents rank it as the 12th

most populated nation on the planet and the second most populous in Africa, behind only

Nigeria. Now that Eritrea and Ethiopia have made peace, Ethiopia will again be able to use the

Eritrean ports of Assab and Massawa. Berbera, Port Sudan, and Lamu are among the alternatives

being considered, as is the prospect of building the southern corridor to Djibouti through Dewele

(which would be 150 kilometers shorter than the northern route).

Ethiopia, with a population of over 115 million in 2020, is the second most populous

country in Africa, after Nigeria. It also has the fastest expanding economy in the area, with an

expected growth rate of 6.3% in FY2020 and FY21. Unfortunately, its $890 gross national

income per person makes it one of the world's poorest countries. By 2025, Ethiopia hopes to

have achieved a lower-middle-income status. We will discuss how geography has positively and

negatively affected the following.

Social and economic development

Ethiopia's diversified geography has both helped and hurt its social and economic

development. Ethiopia's position in the Horn of Africa has made Ethiopia a center for commerce

and business. Ethiopia's strategic location has made it a center of learning and exploration.

Ethiopia's universities have cutting-edge resources, and its agriculture flourishes under the local

climate.
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The location makes Ethiopia prone to natural disasters. It divides it from the region's

other main economies, which harms the nation (such as flooding) (Demissie et al., 2021). The

location has also contributed to Ethiopia's border security difficulties and political upheaval.

Ethiopia cannot safeguard its borders or defend its people against invasion.

Environmental degradation and sustainability

The country's geographical location significantly affects Ethiopia's environmental

deterioration and long-term viability. The wide flat terrain and lack of woods have left the nation

prone to drought and desertification. The country's massive population and worsening economic

situation have also jeopardized environmental protection in Ethiopia.

The federal government has passed many environmental policies to deal with these

issues. Water management, agricultural emissions reduction, renewable energy promotion, and

habitat protection are all examples of such initiatives.

Political instability and conflict

Geography has significantly impacted political instability and conflict in Ethiopia. The

country is located in a strategic location on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, making it a

valuable trading partner for many countries. Additionally, Ethiopia is home to numerous tribes

and groups with competing interests. This complex geography has led to repeated conflicts over

the years. However, the country's location also makes it a target for terrorist organizations.

Despite these challenges, Ethiopia continues to be one of the most stable nations in Africa.

Positive and negative impacts of social and economic development

The country's geographic location has significantly impacted social and economic

development, with the country struggling with numerous issues related to its isolation from
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major global markets and its inability to extract its natural resources. The country's highlands are

isolated from the rest, making it difficult for businesses and people to develop ties with other

parts of the country (Abebe, 2020). The country's social and economic growth has been

hampered by its inadequate infrastructure and transportation systems. In addition, the country's

vastly different regions have made it challenging for enterprises to penetrate untapped niches.

Additionally, Ethiopia is home to many refugees who have created social and economic

development challenges due to an already strained system. Ethiopia also faces significant

challenges in terms of human development, including high rates of poverty and inequality,

environmental degradation, and poor health care. Other negative impacts of Ethiopia's geography

include its isolation from other major regional economies and its susceptibility to natural

disasters (such as floods) (Demissie et al., 2021).

Additionally, Ethiopia's geography has led to problems with border security and political

instability. For example, Ethiopia is one of only two countries worldwide that shares a border

with Somalia and Sudan. It makes it difficult for Ethiopia to control its borders and protect its

citizens from attacks by neighboring countries.

Despite these challenges, Ethiopia has made strides in social and economic development

over the past few decades. In terms of human development, the country has seen significant

improvements in quality of life. In particular, the country has made significant progress in

reducing poverty and inequality levels and improving access to education and healthcare.

Additionally, Ethiopia has made significant strides in environmental protection, with the number

of people living in poverty declining significantly due to efforts to improve access to sanitation

and clean water (Abebe, 2020). Ethiopia positively affects social and economic development and

human development in terms of quality of life. Political stability is also beneficial, as Ethiopia
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has remained a one-party state since its independence. Despite these successes, there is still much

work to achieve even greater human development in Ethiopia. Ethiopia also boasts a wealth of

land, minerals, and gas and a long and illustrious history. Underground gold, copper, potash,

platinum, and natural gas deposits were supposedly mined here for US$500 million in 2012 (Cull

& Morduch, 2018). Unfortunately, mining continues only to have a minimal effect. Ethiopia's

geographical features have always played a significant role in shaping the country's culture and

economy. Also, the strategic position of Ethiopia along the Nile has made the country a major

trading center between East and West Africa.

Positive and negative impacts of environmental degradation and

sustainability

Due to the country's size and diversity, Ethiopia has various landscapes (Megerssa, &

Bekere, 2019). Mountains, woods, and rivers are only a few of the many types of topography that

have had a beneficial effect on environmental degradation and sustainability. Due to its location,

Ethiopia has managed its climate and increased its natural resources.

Location is a major contributor to Ethiopia's environmental degradation. Located in a

region prone to drought and floods, Ethiopia is a particularly vulnerable country to Demissie.

Deforestation, soil erosion, and hydrological shifts are examples of how this convergence of

causes has wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. Water scarcity is a major problem in the nation, and

one cause of the widespread deforestation and erosion plagues the land there (Megerssa, &

Bekere, 2019). Sixty percent or more of the nation's population is always dry or low on water.

Ethiopia depends so much on rivers, and rain for agriculture compounds the problem. Ethiopia's

climate is also impacted by the availability of water since decreased precipitation and accelerated
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desertification result from a shortage of accessible water. Ethiopia is prone to earthquakes and

other natural calamities, given its geographical position. A negative impact on the environment is

another consequence of Ethiopia's diverse geography. Ethiopia is one of the world's most

susceptible nations to climate change, and the country's high population density only worsens the

situation.

Positive and Negative impacts of Political instability and conflict

The nation's geography, with its steep mountains and vast deserts, has contributed

significantly to the instability (Fiseha, 2019). Many current confrontations may be traced back to

a disagreement over the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, Ethiopia's central

position in Africa has elevated it to a prominent role in the continent's politics. As one of Africa's

most populated nations, Ethiopia has played a significant role in hostilities in neighboring Sudan,

Somalia, and Djibouti.

Ethiopia's geographical and political landscape has been shaped in good and bad ways by

several variables. Ethiopia's location between East and West Africa makes it an important

crossroads for the continent(Fiseha, 2019). Several conflicts have broken out between these areas

because of this. It has also made the area attractive to pirates and other illicit enterprises. One

positive outcome of Ethiopia's geographic variety is a rise in political openness and activity. On

the other side, Ethiopia has become a haven for terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab because of

its multicultural population. These groups utilize Ethiopian territory as a launch pad for strikes

throughout East Africa. Over a million people died in the Ethiopian famine of 1984, and it is

widely believed that geography had a significant part in this tragedy (Lavers, 2018). In addition,

the country's central position in Africa makes it an attractive target for extremist organizations

looking to expand their membership. As a result, it is now susceptible to attacks from inside and
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beyond. Finally, yet importantly, Ethiopia is one of Africa's poorest nations, which has

exacerbated socioeconomic tensions and fueled war. For instance, Ethiopia has been frequently

invaded and subjected to warlords – a phenomenon that started during the reign of Emperor

Haile Selassie I – since it is bordered by hostile nations (such as Sudan to the south-west and

Eritrea to the north-east). The regional competition is pervasive due to geographical reasons such

as the isolation of certain places and the concentration of significant resources in other locations

(Fiseha, 2019). Additionally, long-standing disagreements between Eritrea and Sudan and

Eritrea's claim to sovereignty over portions of Ethiopia have led to armed clashes.

Conclusion

Geographically, Ethiopia has a wide range of climates and ecosystems. Despite the

benefit of Ethiopia's natural resource wealth, this situation creates difficulties for the country's

progress. Ethiopia's geographical isolation has been both a boon and a bane, preventing the

nation from succumbing to major external influences and creating development challenges.

Ethiopia offers a varied cultural background and a wide range of landscapes and historical events

to explore. Ethiopia's rich cultural variety has helped make the nation what it is today. Still, it has

also presented obstacles for the country regarding economic growth, political stability, and

individual opportunity. When making choices on economic policy or social initiatives,

politicians in Ethiopia must consider the benefits and drawbacks of the country's geography if

they want to enhance the lives of all Ethiopians. To summarize, Ethiopia's strategic location has

resulted in many favorable improvements. However, its position has led to certain unintended

effects, such as poverty and political instability.

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References

Abebe, A. (2020). The key challenges of youth in Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Economics

and Rural Development, 6(1), 684-688.

Cull, R., & Morduch, J. (2018). Microfinance and economic development. In Handbook of

finance and development (pp. 550-572). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Demissie, B., Teklemariam, D., Haile, M., Meaza, H., Nyssen, J., Billi, P., & Van Eetvelde, V.

(2021). Flood hazard in a semi‐closed basin in northern Ethiopia: Impact and resilience.

Geo: Geography and Environment, 8(2), e00100.

Fiseha, A. (2019). Federalism, development and the changing political dynamics in Ethiopia.

International Journal of Constitutional Law, 17(1), 151-176.

Lavers, T. (2018). Responding to land-based conflict in Ethiopia: The land rights of Ethnic

minorities under federalism. African Affairs, 117(468), 462-484.

Megerssa, G. R., & Bekere, Y. B. (2019). Causes, consequences and coping strategies of land

degradation: evidence from Ethiopia. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands

Management, 7(1), 1953.