There are, however, many hills and massifs, which range up to 1300 m as well as outstanding fault-induced depressions, such as the Danakil, lying as low as 155 m below sea level.

Rainfall is very low and yearly averages range from 100 to 200 millimeters (mm), with less rain falling closer to the coast.

[2][3] This ecoregion extends inland from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, stretching from the Sudanese-Eritrean border, south through coastal Eritrea to Ethiopia and Djibouti and eastwards into western Somaliland.

While it mainly lies between sea level and 800 m, there are many arid hills and massifs up to 1300 m, including the Danakil Alps along the Eritrea-Ethiopia border.

Senegalia mellifera and Rhigozum somalense grow as shrubs or small trees on basaltic lava fields.

The endangered Bankoualé palm (Livistona carinensis) grows in three wadi systems in the Goda Mountains of Djibouti between 165 and 970 meters elevation.

[5] The endangered Gabal Elba dragon tree (Dracaena ombet) is found in the ecoregion's mountains above 1000 meters elevation.

Due largely to political instability in the region over the last 30 years, many elements of the fauna and flora remain poorly known.

As a suggestion of floral richness, an estimated 825 to 950 species have been observed in Djibouti, although many of these have been found only in the small outlying patches of the Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands.

Urban areas in the region include the ports of Massawa in Eritrea, Djibouti city, and Berbera in Somalia.