Bale Zone (Oromo: Aaana Baalee) is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Bale is bordered on the south by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from Guji Zone, on the west by the West Arsi Zone, on the north by Arsi Zone, on the northeast by the Shebelle River which separates it from West Hararghe Zone and East Hararghe Zone, and on the east by the Somali Region.
The highest point in the Bale Zone, and also the highest point in Oromia, is Mount Batu (4,307 m) in the Urgoma Mountains range. Other notable peaks of the Urgoma include Mount Tullu Dimtu, Mount Darkeena and Mount Gaysay. Rivers include the Wab and the Waab; notable lakes include Garba Guracha and Hora Orgona. Bale zone is connected with neighboring zones and region by national highway. It is connected with Addis Ababa via Robe highway. The economy of the zone is mainly dominated by agriculture. The zone is for coffee and wheat production. Points of interest in the Zone include Sheikh Hussein —named for the tomb of a Muslim saint —the Bale Mountains National Park, and the Sof Omar Caves. Towns and cities in Bale include Dodola, Ginir, Goba and Robe.
Bale zone is the second largest zone in Oromia National Regional State after Borena zone with a total area of 63,555 km2. It shares about 17.5% of total area of Oromia. It has 18 districts, 2 urban administrative centers, 20 urban kebeles and 351 rural kebeles. [1]
The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 5,130 metric tons of coffee were produced in this zone in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 4.46% of the Region's output and 2.2% of Ethiopia's total output. [2]
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the CSA, this Zone has a total population of 1,402,492, an increase of 15.16% over the 1994 census, of whom 713,517 are men and 688,975 women; with an area of 43,690.56 square kilometers, Bale has a population density of 32.10. While 166,758 or 26.20% are urban inhabitants, a further 44,610 or 3.18% are pastoralists. A total of 297,081 households were counted in this Zone, which results in an average of 4.72 persons to a household, and 287,188 housing units. The three largest ethnic groups reported were the Oromo (91.2%), the Amhara (5.7%) and the Somali (1.44%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.66% of the population. Afaan Oromo was spoken as a first language by 90.46%, Amharic was spoken by 7.11% and Somali by 1.05%; the remaining 1.38% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslim, with 81.83% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 16.94% of the population professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and 1.04% were Protestant. [3]
Bale is named for the former Sultanate of Bale, which was in approximately the same area. The 1994 national census reported a total population for this zone of 1,217,864 in 250,586 households, of whom 603,895 were men and 613,969 women; 130,307 or 10.7% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The four largest ethnic groups reported in Bale were the Oromo (88.93%), the Amhara (7.65%), the Somali (1.39%), and the Sidama (0.88%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.15% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 87.5%, 9.5% Amharic, 1.51% spoke Somali, and 0.88% spoke Sidamo; the remaining 0.61% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslim, with 76.7% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 19.02% of the population said they professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 2.77% held traditional beliefs, and 1.15% were Protestant. [4]
According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 11% of the inhabitants of Bale have access to electricity; this zone has a road density of 11.4 kilometers per 1,000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers); [5] the average rural household has 1 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 1.14 for the Oromia Region); [6] and the equivalent of 1.0 head of livestock. 19.5% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a regional average of 24%. Concerning education, 66% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school and 21% in secondary schools. Concerning health, 53% of the zone is exposed to malaria and none to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 555. [7]
Bale Zone is bounded by Genale river to the west and southwest and Wabe Shebele river on east and north. These two rivers restrict surface transportation system intra zone and inter zones and regions. Altitude of Bale zone extends from less than 300 meters around Meda Welabu, southeast of Rayitu and Gura Damole districts; to more than 4377 meters above sea level in Goba district namely Mount Tulu Dimtu. The annual average temperature of Bale zone is 17.5 °C. The maximum and minimum temperature is 25 °C and 10 °C respectively. The mean annual average rainfall is 875mm, whereas maximum 1200mm and 550mm minimum annual rainfall was recorded in the zone. [1]
6°45′N40°15′E / 6.750°N 40.250°E
Oromia is a regional state in Ethiopia and the homeland of the Oromo people. Under Article 49 of Ethiopian Constitution, the capital of Oromia is Addis Ababa, also called Finfinne. The provision of the article maintains special interest of Oromia by utilizing social services and natural resources of Addis Ababa.
West Hararge is a zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. West Hararghe takes its name from the former province of Hararghe. West Harerge is bordered on the south by the Shebelle River which separates it from Bale, on the southwest by Arsi, on the northwest by the Afar Region, on the north by the Somali Region and on the east by East Hararghe. Towns in West Hararghe include Chiro, Badessa, Gelemso, and Mieso, Asebot.
East Hararghe is a zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. East Hararghe Zone is bordered on the southwest by Bale, on the west by West Hararghe Zone, on the north by Dire Dawa and on the north and east by the Somali Region. The Harari Region is an enclave inside this zone.
Mieso is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Hararghe Zone, Mieso is bordered on the south by Guba Koricha, on the west by the Afar Region, on the north by the Somali Region, on the east by Doba and on the southeast by Chiro. The administrative center for this woreda is Mieso; other towns in Mieso include Asebot, Kora, Bordode and Gololcha.
Doba is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is named after its major town Doba. Part of the West Haraghe, Doba is bordered on the south by Chiro, on the west by Mieso, on the north by the Somali Region, on the east by the East Hararghe, and on the southeast by Tulo.
Guba Koricha is a Aanaa in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Located in the West Hararghe Zone, Guba Koricha, according to the OCHA map (2005) is bordered on the south by Darolebu, on the southwest by the Arsi Zone, on the west by the Afar Region, on the north by Mieso, on the northeast by Chiro, on the east by Habro, and on the southeast by Boke. Woreda of Anchar was separated from Guba Koricha.
Daru labu is a woreda in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Located in the West Hararghe Zone, Daru labu is bordered on the south by the Shebelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the west by the Arsi Zone, on the northwest by Guba Koricha, on the north by the Habro, and on the east by Boke. Towns in Darolebu include Mechara and Micheta.
Boke is one of the Aanaas in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Part of the West Hararghe Zone, Boke is bordered on the south by the Shabelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the southwest by Darolebu, on the northwest by Habro, on the northeast by Kuni, and on the east by the Galetti River which separates it from the East Hararghe Zone. The major town in Boke is Boke Tiko.
Seru is one of the Aanaas in the Oromia of Ethiopia. It is named after the Aanaa capital, Seru. Part of the Arsi Zone, Seru is bordered on the south and east by the Shebelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the west by the Wabe River which separates it from Robe, on the north by Aminya, and on the northeast by the West Hararghe Zone. Woreda of Bale Gasegar was separated form Seru.
Bedeno is a District of Ethiopia in Oromia, Ethiopia. It is named after the administrative center of the district, Bedeno. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Bedeno is bordered on the south by Gola Odana Meyumuluke, on the southwest by Malka Balo, on the west by Deder, on the northwest by Meta, on the north by Jarso, on the northeast by Kurfa Chele, and on the east by Girawa. Towns include Furda.
Kombolcha is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Kombolcha is bordered on the south by the Harari Region, on the southwest by Haro Maya, on the northwest by Dire Dawa, on the north by the Somali Region, and on the east by Jarso. The administrative center of the woreda is Melka Rafu.
Gursum is one of the Districts in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Gursum is bordered on the south by Babille, on the west by the Harari Region, on the north by Jarso, and on the east by the Gursum district in the Somali region. The administrative center of the woreda is Funyan Bira.
Babile is one of the districts in the East Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region in Ethiopia. It is named after one of the 12 major clans of the Oromo people, the Babille Oromo. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Baabile is bordered on the south and east by the Somali Region, on the west by Fedis, and on the north by Gursum; the Fafen River defines a portion of Babille's eastern border. The administrative center of this woreda is Babille Town.
Goro Gutu is a Aanaa in Oromia, Ethiopia. This district is named after Mount Goro Gutu, its tallest mountain. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Goro Gutu is bordered on the south by Deder, on the west by the West Hararghe Zone, on the north by the Somali Region, and on the east by Meta. The administrative center is ; Karamile other towns include Boroda towns
Malka Balo is a Districts of Ethiopia in Oromia, Ethiopia. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Malka Balo is bordered on the west by the West Hararghe Zone, on the north by Deder, on the northeast by Bedeno, and on the southeast by Gola Odana Meyumuluke; part of the boundary with the West Hararghe Zone is defined by the Galetti River. The administrative center for this woreda is Jaja; other towns include Bareda,Harawacha and Harew.
Gola Oda is a District in Oromia, Ethiopia. It was part of former Gola Odana Meyumuluke district what was divided for Gola Oda and Meyumuluke districts. Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Gola Odana Meyumuluke is bordered on the south by the Shebelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the southwest by the Galetti River which separates it from the West Hararghe Zone, on the northwest by Malka Balo, on the north by Bedeno, on the northeast by Girawa, on the east by Fedis, and on the southeast by the Erer River which separates it from the Somali Region. The administrative center of this woreda is Burka.
Legehidha is one of the woredas in the Oromia of Ethiopia. Part of the Bale Zone, Legehidha is bordered on the south by Seweyna, on the southwest by Gololcha, and all other sides by the Shebelle River which separates this woreda from the West Hararghe Zone on the northwest, the East Hararghe Zone on the northeast and from the Somali Region on the east. The administrative center of the woreda is Beltu; other towns in Legehidha nearly Sheikh Hussein.
Goba is a woreda in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is named after the town of Goba. Part of the Bale Zone, Goba is bordered on the south by Mennana Harena Buluk, on the west by Mirab Arsi Zone, on the north by the Mena River which separates it from Sinanana Dinsho, and on the southeast by Berbere.
Meda Welabu is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Bale Zone, Meda Welabu is bordered on the south by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from the Guji Zone, on the northwest by West Arsi Zone, on the north by Mennana Harena Buluk, and on the northeast by Guradamole. The administrative center of the woreda is Bidire; other towns in Meda Welabu include Oborso.
Berbere is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Bale Zone, Berbere is bordered on the south by Mennana Harena Buluk, on the northwest by Goba, on the north by Sinanana Dinsho, on the northeast by Goro, and on the east by Guradamole; the Mena River separates it from Shinanana Dinsho and Goro. The administrative center of the woreda is Haro Dumal.
