This article delves into the visualization of Ethiopia through a series of maps, focusing particularly on population density.
This set of born-digital map series visualizes Ethiopia at five different scales, and each scale-based set contains maps with multiple geographic themes. The maps were first published in 2018 as part of the MapServer Ethiopia project.
According to project information provided on the map collars, the project aims to disseminate maps and geospatial data to “improve mapping and spatial understanding in the context of project management, natural resources governance, humanitarian aid work, and academic education.” MapServer Ethiopia is run by the Water and Land Resources Centre, which was established by the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern, Switzerland. The project also receives funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The map sets rely on open geospatial data, with map data sources that include OpenStreetMap, the European Space Agency, Copernicus, NASA Earth Observation, Natural Earth, and USGS Earth Explorer, among others.
Trends of Population Growth in Ethiopia የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ [Geography Grade 9 U4 L2] @alisprings
Available Map Sets
The project offers multiple map sets at various scales, each focusing on different thematic categories.
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- 1:1,500,000 Scale: This first map set shows all of Ethiopia in one map sheet (per theme) across seven different themes:
- Change in Forest Cover 2000-2015
- Time of Travel to Regional Centres
- Population Distribution 2016
- Annual Precipitation 2017
- Dominant Soil Groups
- River Basins and Watersheds
- Rangelands
- 1:1,000,000 Scale: Additional map sets are available at the scale of 1:1,000,000, which map the country across the same seven thematic categories, but in more detail. Each set covers the country in three map sheets, rather than just one.
- 1:500,000 Scale: “Tile X2, Map Sheet 12” of Ethiopia geographic base map : 1:500,000, Landsat series, Universität Bern. Centre for Development and Environment, 2018.
- 1:250,000 Scale: The 1:250,000 series maps the country across 28 sheets, and is available in three versions: Landsat, Sentinel, and a Water and Land Resources Centre custom basemap.
- 1:100,000 Scale: The most detailed set is at the scale of 1:100,000, which maps the country across 153 sheets. This set is available in two different versions: one that uses Landsat imagery, and another that uses Sentinel. The Sentinel-based basemap are Sentinel False Color Infrared Mosaics from 2017.
Population Distribution 2016
Below is the “Population Distribution 2016” map, which shows the density of population per square kilometer.
“Population Distribution 2016” from “Ethiopia geographic base map : 1:1,500,000,” Universität Bern. Centre for Development and Environment, 2018.
Sentinel False Color Infrared Mosaics
The Sentinel-based basemap are Sentinel False Color Infrared Mosaics from 2017. False color infrared mapping helps visualize vegetation density and the water in soils and plants.
As seen below, the land south-east of Lake Awasa (one of the Rift Valley lakes) displays as red, indicating irrigated cropland or forested areas.
“Tile L6 of Field Map Series,” Ethiopia geographic base map : 1:100,000, Universität Bern. Centre for Development and Environment, 2018.
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Downloading the Maps
As I mentioned earlier, every single map sheet is georeferenced, and can be downloaded in one of two ways. The first download option will be familiar to users who are well-acquainted with downloading maps or map sheets from the Library of Congress: when looking at a map, under the image itself will be a “Download” drop-down menu with options to download the map image at multiple levels of quality.
With these georeferenced sheets, you will also notice that available to you in that drop-down are two text files: Text (PRJ) and Text (TFW). These auxiliary files are known as the projection file and the TIF World File, each of which stores georeferencing information for the sheet.
We are also aware that geospatial users may be interested in not just one individual map sheet, but in downloading the full series run, including all of the related georeferencing files. Starting your download from the “Compressed ZIP packages” series will allow you to download an entire series (organized by scale and theme). Large packages may be split across multiple zip packages. Each package will list its full size for awareness before you download.
Additional Information
The Ethiopia Population (Live) counter shows a continuously updated estimate of the current population of Ethiopia delivered by Worldometer's RTS algorithm, which processes data collected from the United Nations Population Division.
The Population of Ethiopia (1950 - 2025) chart plots the total population count as of July 1 of each year, from 1950 to 2025.
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The Yearly Population Growth Rate chart plots the annual percentage changes in population registered on July 1 of each year, from 1951 to 2025. This value can differ from the Yearly % Change shown in the historical table, which shows the last year equivalent percentage change assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five year period.
Definitions
- Year: as of July 1 of the year indicated.
- Population: Overall total population (both sexes and all ages) in the country as of July 1 of the year indicated, as estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision. For forecasted years, the U.N. medium-fertility variant is used.
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tags: #Ethiopia
