Demographics
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the CSA, this Zone has a total population of 1,213,503, of whom 606,379 are men and 607,124 women; with an area of 12,579.77 square kilometers, East Welega has a population density of 96.46. While 162,854 or 7.72% are urban inhabitants, a further 28 persons are pastoralists. A total of 255,534 households were counted in this Zone, which results in an average of 4.75 persons to a household, and 246,680 housing units. The two largest ethnic groups reported in East Welega were the Oromo (87.74%) and the Amhara (10.89%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.37% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 88.13% and 10.85% spoke Amharic; the remaining 1.02% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Protestantism, with 48.42% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 37.04% of the population practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and 12.09% were Muslim. [2]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 1,253,432 in 252,821 households, of whom 616,565 were men and 636,867 women; 138,736 or 11.07% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The two largest ethnic groups reported in East Welega were the Oromo (88.5%), and the Amhara (10.47%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.03% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 89.37%, and 9.9% spoke Amharic; the remaining 0.73% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 61.74% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 16.44% of the population said they were Protestant, 12.44% held traditional beliefs, and 8.27% were Muslim. [3]
Illubabor is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Illubabora is named for the former province Illubabor. It is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the west by Kelem Welega Zone, on the north by West Welega Zone, and Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the northwest by East Welega Zone, and on the east by Jimma. Towns and cities in Illubabora include Bedele, Gore and Metu.
Jimma is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Jimma is named after former Kingdom of Jimma, which was absorbed into the former province of Kaffa in 1932. Jimma is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, the northwest by Illubabor Zone, on the north by East Welega Zone and on the northeast by West Shewa Zone; part of the boundary with West Shewa Zone is defined by the Gibe River. The highest point in this zone is Mount Maigudo. Towns and cities in Jimma include Agaro, Limmu Inariya and Saqqa. The town of Jimma was separated from Jimma Zone and is a special zone now.
West Shewa Zone is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. This zone takes its name from the kingdom or former province of Shewa. West Shewa is bordered on the south by the Southwest Shewa Zone and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the southwest by Jimma, on the west by East Welega Zone, on the northwest by Horo Gudru Welega Zone, on the north by the Amhara Region, on the northeast by North Shewa, and on the east by Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Addis Abeba. Its highest point is Mount Wenchi ; other notable peaks include Mount Mengesha and Mount Wechacha. Towns and cities in West Shewa include Ambo.
West Welega Zone is a zone in the western part of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This zone is named after the former province of Welega, whose western part lay in the area West Welega now occupies.
East Shewa is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. East Shewa is located at the center of oromia Oromia, connecting the western regions to the eastern ones. This zone is bordered on the south by the West Arsi Zone, on the southwest by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west by Southwest Shewa Zone and Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, on the northwest by North Shewa, on the north by the Amhara Region, on the northeast by the Afar Region, and on the southeast by Arsi; its westernmost reach is defined by the course of the Bilate River. Towns and cities in East Shewa include Dukam, Galan, Tullu Dimt, Basaqa and Aqaqi, Bishoftu, Metehara, Batu Dambal and Adama. With the intent to rehabilitate degraded forests, the Zonal Agriculture and Rural Development Office announced 2 October 2, 2006, that it had planted over 36.3 million seedlings in 10 of the Zone's 12 woredas, covering 4,000 hectares of land. "Zone transplants over 36mln seedlings" (Walta)</ref>
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
Most inhabited by Somalis
North Shewa is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. North Shewa takes its name from the kingdom of Shewa or former province of Shewa. North Shewa is bordered on the south by Addis Ababa on the southwest by West Shewa, on the north by the Amhara Region, and on the southeast by East Shewa. Town include Ali Doro, Fiche and Gerba Guracha, Sheno.
Were Babo is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. This woreda is named for one of the "Houses" or subgroups of the Wollo Oromo that used to govern the area and is still located there. Part of the Debub Wollo Zone, Were Babu is bordered on the south by Kalu, on the west by Tehuledere, on the north by the Mille River which separates it from the Semien Wollo Zone, on the east by the Afar Region, and on the southeast by the Mio River which separates it from the Oromia Zone. The administrative center of Were Babu is Bistima; other towns include Ejersa, Arabati and Bokeksa.
Supena Sodo is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Supena Sodo is bordered on the south by Yayu, on the southwest by Metu, on the west by Darimu, on the north by the Mirab Welega Zone, on the northeast by Dega, and on the southeast by Chora. Towns in Supena Sodo include Alge, Sache and Supe.
Dega is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Buno Bedelle Zone, Dega is bordered on the south by Chora, on the west by Supena Sodo, on the north by the Mirab Welega Zone, on the northeast by the southern exclave of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the east by Bedele. Towns in Dega include Dega and Mako. Mako woreda was part of Dega woreda.
Bure is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Bure is bordered on the south by Nono, on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the west by the Kelem Welega Zone, on the northeast by Metu, and on the southeast by Ale; the Birbir River defines the west and north boundaries. Towns in Bure include Bure and Sibo. Huka Halu woreda was separated from Bure.
Cheliya is one of the Aanaas in the Oromia of Ethiopia. Part of the West Shewa Zone, Cheliya is bordered on the south by Nono and Dano, on the southwest by the Gibe River which separates it from the Jimma Zone, on the west by Bako Tibe, on the northwest by the Guder River which separates it from the Horo Gudru Welega Zone, on the north by Ginde Beret, on the northeast by Jeldu, on the east by Ambo, and on the southeast by Tikur. The administrative center of this Aanaa is Gedo; other towns in Cheliya include Babiche, Ejaji, and Hamus Gebeya. Midakegn woreda was separated form Cheliya.
Bako Tibe is one of the Aanaas, or districts, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Part of the West Shewa Zone, Bako Tibe is bordered on the south and west by the East Welega Zone, on the north by Horo Gudru Welega Zone, and on the east by Cheliya. The administrative center of this woreda is Bako; other towns in Bako Tibe include Tibe and Shoboka.
Tole is one of the woredas in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Southwest Shewa Zone, it is bordered on the southwest by Kokir, on the west by Becho, on the northwest by Elu, on the northeast by the Awash which separates it from Alem Gena, and on the east and south by Kersana Kondaltiti. The major town in Tole is Bentu Liben.
Wuchale is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It was part of former woreda of Wuchalena Jido which was separated for Jido and Wuchale woredas.. Part of the Kaba Shewa Zone, Wuchale is bordered on the south by Berehna Aleltu, on the west by Mulona Sululta, on the northwest by Yaya Gulele], on the northeast by the Amhara Region, on the east by Liban woreda, and on the southeast by Kembibit. Towns in Wuchale include Muka and Turi.
Degem is one of the Aanaas in North Shewa Zone of Oromiya in Ethiopia. Degem is bordered on the south by Muger River which separates it from East Welega Zone, on the west by Kuyu, on the northwest by Hidabu Abote, on the north by Jamma River which separates it from Amhara Region, on the northeast by Gerar Jarso, and on the east by Yaya Gulele. Towns in Degem include Alidoro and hambiso.
Abichuna Gne'a is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This woreda is named in part for the Abichu Oromo. Part of the Kaba Shewa Zone, Abichu woreda is bordered on the south by Kembibit, on the west by Wuchalena Jido, and on the north and east by the Amhara Region. The major town in Abichu is Mendida.
Kellem Wollega is one of the zones of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia. This zone is named after the former province of Wollega, whose western part lay in the area Kellem Wollega now occupies. Kellem Wollega was formed of woredas which included to West Wollega Zone.
Horo Guduru Welega is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the former province of Welega, whose eastern part lay in the area Horo Guduru Welega now occupies. Horo Guduru Welega was formed of woredas, including East Welega Zone.
