Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, in the eastern part of the continent. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. Ethiopia is a landlocked country with a diverse topography, including rugged mountains, vast plateaus, and lowland deserts. The Great Rift Valley, which runs through the country, is a prominent feature of its geography. Its location near the equator and varied elevation contribute to a range of climates, from temperate highlands to arid lowlands.