1. Egypt
Context
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake was recently reported off Egypt.
About Egypt
Geographical Features
- Location: Northeastern Africa; the Sinai Peninsula extends into Asia, making Egypt transcontinental.
- Borders: Libya (west), Sudan (south), and Israel and the Gaza Strip (northeast).
- Water bodies: Mediterranean Sea (north), Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba (east).
- Capital: Cairo.
- Terrain: Predominantly arid desert, with fertile Nile Valley and Delta.
- River: The Nile flows south to north through Egypt.
- Highest peak: Mount Catherine (2,642 m).
- Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates and iron ore.
2. Ethiopia
Context
Ethiopia recently witnessed a rainfall-induced landslide in the Amhara Region, which killed 14 people and injured several others.
About Ethiopia
Geographical Features
- Location: A landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, lying entirely within the tropical latitudes.
- Borders: Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, and South Sudan and Sudan to the west.
- Capital: Addis Ababa.
- Topography: The country is marked by the Rift Valley, Eastern and Western Highlands, and Eastern and Western Lowlands.
- Lowest point: The Kobar Sink in the Danakil Plain is about 116 metres below sea level.
- Highest point: Mount Ras Dejen, at 4,533 metres.
- Major rivers: Blue Nile, Omo and Awash.
- Major lake: Lake Tana, located in the northwestern Ethiopian Highlands.
- Natural resources: Gold, potash, natural gas, copper and platinum.
