Africa · neighbouring countries

Neighboring Countries of Ethiopia

Q: Which is the longest border of Ethiopia?

The longest land border of Ethiopia is with Somalia (1,640 km); the shortest is with Djibouti (342 km).

Q: How long are the land borders of Ethiopia?

The land borders of Ethiopia total 5,925 km. By number of neighbours Ethiopia ranks #21 among 236 countries and territories.

Ethiopia shares land borders with 6 countries: Somalia (1,640 km), South Sudan (1,299 km), Eritrea (1,033 km), Kenya (867 km), Sudan (744 km) and Djibouti (342 km).

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Country

Neighbouring countries (#21 of 236)

5,925 km

Total land borders

None

Landlocked — no coastline

1,104,300

Area in km²

Ethiopia
Neighbouring countries
Neighbours of neighbours

Countries bordering Ethiopia

Neighbour	Border length	Capital	Visa for Ethiopia citizens
Somalia	1,640 km	Mogadishu	Visa on arrival
South Sudan	1,299 km	Juba	eVisa
Eritrea	1,033 km	Asmara	Visa required
Kenya	867 km	Nairobi	Visa-free · 90 days
Sudan	744 km	Khartoum	Visa required
Djibouti	342 km	Djibouti	Visa on arrival

Somalia accounts for 28% of Ethiopia's 5,925 km of land borders. Lengths: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

Geography of Ethiopia

Location

Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Area

1,104,300 km² — slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Terrain

High plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley

Climate

Tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Highest and lowest points

Highest: Ras Dejen 4,550 m. Lowest: Danakil Depression -125 m. Mean elevation: 1330 m.

Natural resources

Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower

Natural hazards

Geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts volcanism: volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m) is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir

Good to know

The most populous landlocked country in the world; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia

Neighbours of Ethiopia's neighbours

Countries one border further away — reachable overland through a neighbouring country.

Also with 6 neighbours in Africa

Frequently asked questions about the borders of Ethiopia

How many countries border Ethiopia?

Ethiopia shares land borders with 6 countries: Somalia (1,640 km), South Sudan (1,299 km), Eritrea (1,033 km), Kenya (867 km), Sudan (744 km) and Djibouti (342 km).

Which is the longest border of Ethiopia?

The longest land border of Ethiopia is with Somalia (1,640 km); the shortest is with Djibouti (342 km).

Is Ethiopia landlocked?

Yes. Ethiopia has no coastline and is one of the world's landlocked countries, so all its trade by land passes through Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti.

How long are the land borders of Ethiopia?

The land borders of Ethiopia total 5,925 km. By number of neighbours Ethiopia ranks #21 among 236 countries and territories.

Do Ethiopia citizens need a visa for neighbouring countries?

Ethiopia citizens can visit 1 of 6 neighbouring countries visa-free: Kenya.

What is the highest point of Ethiopia?

Ras Dejen 4,550 m. The lowest point is Danakil Depression -125 m.

Borders and geography: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Visa rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0).