How did Ethiopia use its geographic location and resources to develop into a strong state?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A. Ethiopia location a key to growth
1. located at edge of Indian Ocean network
2. largely isolated behind deserts and mountains
3. altitude made the emergent state defensible
4. guaranteed a temperate climate in tropical latitudes
5. Ethiopian products could reach the outside world
a. the Mediterranean via Egypt
b. the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea
B. Ethiopia as a trading state
1. exotic goods of black Africa awaited
2. cosmopolitan community
C. Ethiopia as an agricultural community
1. terraces of grains sprang from valley soils, plowed with oxen and irrigated by stone dams across mountain streams
2. highlands were fertile enough to produce two or three crops a year
3. Food mentioned in inscriptions includes wheat, beer, wine, honey, meat, butter, vegetable oils, and the world's first recorded coffee
D. Ethiopia culture
1. finely worked ivory, metalwork, and huge, cubical tombs lined with brick arches
2. many-storied buildings
3. the central plaza of the city had a four-towered palace and thrones of pure marble
E. Turned outward toward Arabia
1. King Kaleb launched an expedition to conquer southern Arabia
2. Ethiopians occupied for most of the rest of the century