Size: About 1,221,900 square kilometers major portion of easternmost African landmass known as Horn of Africa.

NOTE--The Country Profile contains updated information as available.

Topography: Massive highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by Great Rift Valley running generally southwest to northeast and surrounded by lowlands, steppes, or semidesert northeastern coastline of about 960 kilometers along the Red Sea. Great terrain diversity determines wide variations in climate, soils, natural vegetation, and settlement patterns.

Climate: Elevation and geographic location produce three climatic zones: cool zone above 2,400 meters where temperatures range from near freezing to 16° C temperate zone at elevations of 1,500 to 2,400 meters with temperatures from 16° C to 30° C and hot zone below 1,500 meters with both tropical and arid conditions and daytime temperatures ranging from 27° C to 50° C. Normal rainy season from mid-June to mid-September (longer in the southern highlands) preceded by intermittent showers from February or March remainder of year generally dry.

Data as of 1991