Simien Mountains
The Simien Mountains (Amharic: ስሜን ተራራ or Səmen; also spelled Semain, Simeon and Semien), in northern Ethiopia, north east of Gondar in Amhara region, are part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are a World Heritage Site and include the Simien Mountains National Park. The mountains consist of plateaus separated by valleys and rising to pinnacles. The highest Ethiopian mountain is Ras Dejen at 4,550 m with the second highest peak of Kidis Yared at 4,453 m; other notable peaks include Mount Biuat at 4,437 m.
| Simien Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Location | Amhara Region, Ethiopia |
| Nearest city | Debarq and Mekane Berhan |
| Coordinates | 13°16′N 38°05′E |
| Area | 220 km2 (85 sq mi) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Visitors | 26,000 (in 2016) |
| Official name | Simien National Park |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, x |
| Designated | 1978 (2nd session) |
| Reference no. | 9 |
| Region | Africa |
| Endangered | 1996–2017 |
The Simien Mountains are remarkable for being one of the few spots in tropical Africa where snow regularly falls. Because of their geological origins, the mountains are almost unique, with only South Africa's Drakensberg range having been formed in the same manner and thus appearing similar. Notable animals in the mountains include the walia ibex, gelada, and caracal. There are a few Ethiopian wolves.