Demographics
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the CSA, this woreda has a total population of 10,590, of whom 5,069 are men and 5,521 women; with an area of 3,118.79 square kilometers, Gambela has a population density of 3.40, which is less than the Zone average of 4.83 persons per square kilometer. While 1,096 or 10.35% are urban inhabitants, a further 264 or 2.49% are pastoralists. A total of 2,595 households were counted in this woreda, which results in an average of 4.1 persons to a household, and 2,528 housing units. The majority of the inhabitants said they were Protestant, with 75.72% of the population reporting they observed this belief, while 9.28% of the population practised Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 5.19% were Catholic, 1.79% practiced traditional religions, and 1.48% were Muslim. [5]
According to the 1994 national census, the woreda's population was reported to be 26,439 in 12,532 households, of whom 13,781 were men and 12,658 women; 18,263 or 69.08% of the population were urban inhabitants. The five largest ethnic groups of Gambela woreda were the Anuak (48.03%), the Oromo (20.13%), the Amhara (9.89%), the Nuer (7.83%), and the Tigray (4.65%); all other ethnic groups made up 9.47% of the population. Anuak is spoken as a first language by 48.15%, 20.21% speak Oromiffa, 10.77% Amharic, 7.78% Nuer, and 4.42% speak Tigrinya; the remaining 8.67% spoke all other primary languages reported. The largest group of the inhabitants said they professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 41.42% of the population reporting they practiced that belief, while 25.4% were Protestant, 6.43% practiced traditional religions, 5.19% were Catholic, and 4.285% were Muslim. [6]
The Gambela Region, officially the Gambela Peoples' Region, is a regional state in western Ethiopia, bordering South Sudan. Previously known as Region 12, its capital is Gambela. The Region is situated between the Baro and Akobo Rivers, with its western part including the Baro River.
Gambela, also spelled Gambella, is a city and separate woreda in Ethiopia and the capital of the Gambela Region. Located in Anyuak Zone, at the confluence of the Baro River and its tributary the Jajjabe, the city has a latitude and longitude of 8°15′N34°35′E and an elevation of 526 meters. It is surrounded by Gambella Zuria.
Administrative Zone 1 was one of the three zones of the Ethiopian Region of Gambela. This zone was bordered on the south by Administrative Zone 2, on the west by Administrative Zone 3 and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. It was later added to Anuak Zone. Towns and cities in this zone included Itang and Gambela.
Administrative Zone 2 was one of the three zones of the Ethiopian Region of Gambela. This zone was bordered by South Sudan and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region on the south, Administrative Zone 3 on the west, Administrative Zone 1 on the north, and the Godere special woreda on the east. It was added to Anuak Zone. Towns in this zone included Abobo and Fugnido.
Administrative Zone 3 is a former administrative subdivision of the Ethiopian Region of Gambela. This zone was bordered by Sudan on the south, west and north, by Administrative Zone 1 on the east and Administrative Zone 2 on the southeast; the Pibor defines the border on the south and west, while the Baro defines it for the northern border. Towns in this zone included Tergol and Telut. Most of the area of this zone was added to Nuer Zone and some parts were added to Anuak Zone.
Godere is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Mezhenger Zone, Godere is bordered on the south and east by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), and on the west by Mengesh. The largest town in Godere is Meti.
Abwobo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anywaa Zone, Abwobo is bordered on the southeast by the Majang Zone, on the south by Gog, on the southwest by Jor, on the northwest by Itang special woreda, on the north by Gambela Zuria, and on the northeast by the Oromia Region; part of its northern boundary is defined by the Alworo River. The major town in Abwobo is Abwobo.
Gog is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Gog is bordered on the south by Dimma, on the southwest by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the west by Jor, and on the north by Abobo. The major town in Gog is Fugnido.
Jor is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Jor is bordered on the south by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the west and north by the Nuer Zone, on the northeast by Abobo, and on the east by Gog; the Alooworro River defines part of its northern boundary. The administrative center of this County is Ongoogi.
Itang is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Because Itang is not part of any zone in the Gambela Region, it is considered a Special woreda, an administrative subdivision which is similar to an autonomous area. It is bordered on the south and southeast by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Nuer Zone, on the northwest by South Sudan, and on the north by the Oromia Region; part of the southern boundary is defined by the Alwero River. The major town in Itang is Itang.
Akobo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. It is named after the Akobo River, which flows westwards then north into the Baro River, defining its border with South Sudan. Part of the Nuer Zone, Akobo is bordered on the south and west by South Sudan, on the north by Wentawo, and on the east by the Anuak Zone. The westernmost point of this woreda is the westernmost point of Ethiopia. Towns in Akobo include Tergol.
Jikawo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Jikawo is bordered on the south by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Alwero River which separates it from Wentawo, on the north by the Baro River which separates it from South Sudan, and on the east by Lare. Towns in Jikawo include Nginngang and Telut.
Wegera or Wogera, is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Wegera is named for the former province Wegera, which was located roughly in the same location, and was later made part of the province of Semien. Part of the Semien Gondar Zone, Wegera is bordered on the south by Mirab Belessa, on the southwest by Gondar Zuria, on the west by Lay Armachiho, on the northwest by Tach Armachiho, on the north by Dabat, on the northeast by Jan Amora, and on the southeast by Misraq Belessa. Towns in Wegera include Amba Giyorgis and Gedegbe.
Gondar Zuria is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Semien Gondar Zone, Gondar Zuria is bordered on the south by the Debub Gondar Zone, on the southwest by Lake Tana, on the west by Dembiya, on the north by Lay Armachiho, on the northeast by Wegera, and on the southeast by Mirab Belessa. Towns in Gondar Zuria include Azazo, Degoma, Emfraz, Maksenit and Teda. The city and woreda of Gondar is surrounded by Gondar Zuria in the northern part of this woreda.
Metu Zuria is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Metu Zuria is bordered on the south by Ale, on the southwest by Bure, on the west by the Kelem Welega Zone, on the north by Darimu, on the northeast by Supena Sodo, on the east by Yayu and on the southeast by Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. The former Metu woreda was separated for Bicho, Bilo Nopha and Metu Zuria woredas and Metu Town.
Dimma is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Dimma is bordered on the southeast by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), on the southwest by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the north by Gog, and on the northeast by the Mezhenger Zone. The major town in Dimma is Dimma.
Lare is one of the Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Lare is bordered on the south and east by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Baro River which separates it from Jikawo, and on the north by the Jikawo River which separates it from South Sudan. Towns in Lare include Kowerneng.
Wentawo is one of the woredas in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Wentawo is bordered on the south by Akobo, on the west and north by South Sudan, on the east by Jikawo, and on the southeast by Anuak Zone; the Akobo River to the west and the Baro River on the north define Wentawo's boundaries with South Sudan. Towns in this woreda include Metar.
The Mezhenger Zone or Majang Zone is a zone in Gambela Region of Ethiopia. It is named for one of the three largest indigenous groups in Gambela, the Majangir. This zone is bordered on the south and east by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), on the west by the Anuak Zone, and on the north by the Oromia Region. Towns in this Zone include Meti.
Nuer Zone Amharic Thok Naath, The Zone is founded in Gambela Region of Ethiopia. It was created from former Administrative Zone 3, Gambella Region. Location The zone it's located in western Gambella Town is bordered by South Sudan, on the Northern Baro River, Western Pibor, and Southwestern Pibor River, on the east by Itang Special Woreda, on the South-East by Anuak Zone. The administration town called Nyinenyang, also have five administrator woreda Kuergeng Town, Kuach Thiäng Town, Nyinenyang Town, Matar Town and Tiergol Town. Nuer Zone is within the Ethiopian lowlands and is flat at an elevation between 400–430 meters above sea level. The zone consists of grasslands, marshes and swamps with some forests. The economy is predominantly based on livestock. In 2006, there were no agricultural cooperatives, no documented roads, and little other Reference infrastructure. Both Jikawo and Akobo woredas are flooded during the rainy season, requiring the people to migrate to the highlands with their cattle until the waters recede; thus raising livestock is the primary source of income in this Zone.
