• The topography of Zazzau consists of gently undulating plains that extend almost unbroken from Sokoto to Lake Chad and beyond. The highest part of the Zaria plains is over 831.6 meters. Hilly features of two kinds characterize the plains. These are rocks inselbergs and lateritic ironstone capped mesas. The inselbergs vary considerably in dimension and shape. They are both found within and outside the Birni in areas like Kufena, Madarkachi, Tukur-Tukur, Dumbi, Hange and Fantambari. The Mesas are less conspicuous because they are partly hidden by woody bushes. They rise to a height of 4.62 to 15.4 meters thick. Excellent examples of Mesas are found in few areas such as Kofar Fada, Anguwan Juma and Jamawa.
• There are three dominant granitic outcrops in Birnin Zaria namely: Kufena, Madarkachi and Tukur-Tukur hills. They are enclosed within a single wall, which form the setting of an old legend centred on two giants who lived at the top of the hills and ate from a common bowl placed in between them. According to the legend Madarkachi was so named because Madara, who lived on the hilltop, was asked by one of the other giants, “Madara kaci?” i.e. “Madara have you eaten”?
• The physical environment of Birnin Zaria seems to have contributed in determining not only the settlement pattern of the area, but also its economic, social and cultural activities as well as its security system. In the first instance, its geographical features especially the inselbergs encouraged the concentration of population around them, which facilitated the process of urbanization in Birnin Zaria.
• The inselbergs were also used for military purposes for they provided defence against external invasions and were also ideal in serving the religious needs of the society. It was these factors that served as a catalyst to population growth, the formation of village settlements, the emergence of new social and religious associations and patterns of authority that transcended family structures on the Zaria plains. These included associations or social relations of production based on age groups or occupations such as hunting and priesthood.
• Unmistakable evidence of early settlement abounds on the inselbergs. These include the ruins (kufai) of ancient buildings, grinding hollows, potsherds and stone implements which can still be found on or around the inselbergs.
• Secondly, the unique geographical features of the Zaria area combined with its good climate and vegetation influenced the practice of agriculture and crafts in Birnin Zaria, which also prepared the ground for the development of some forms of organised political communities that later transformed into centralised political institutions in Zaria.