Climate

Ethiopia: There are three to five climate zones (depending on classification of particular authors). The three climate zones, that are widely approved are: "Kolla" (hot zone; 1500-1800 m altitude) with an average temperature of 26 °C and an average rainfall of 300 - 700 mm, the flowering period is known to be short and therefore the bees are very productive as well as aggressive; "Woina-Dega" (cold-warm zone; 1800-2400 m altitude) with an average temperature of 22 °C and an average rainfall of 700 - 1000 mm) and "Dega" (cold zone; 2400-3500 m altitude) with an average temperature of 16 °C and an average rainfall of 1000 - 1200 mm, flowering occurs throughout the year and there is a lower predator pressure on bees . In addition, there are following climate zones: "Bereha" (<1500 m altitude) with an average temperature of >26 °C and an average rainfall of <300 mm and "Worech" (>3500 m altitude) with an average temperature of 12 °C and an average rainfall of 1200 - 1500 mm). While the highlands of Ethiopia are widely populated, the colder lowland region is sparsely populated by nomadic and semi-nomadic herdsmen .

{References}