Demographics
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this Zone has a total population of 2,058,676, of whom 1,028,501 are men and 1,030,175 women; with an area of 14,788.78 square kilometers, West Shewa has a population density of 139.21. While 242,352 or 6.10% are urban inhabitants, a further 53 individuals are pastoralists. A total of 428,689 households were counted in this Zone, which results in an average of 4.80 persons to a household, and 415,013 housing units. The two largest ethnic groups reported in West Shewa were the Oromo (93.82%) and the Amhara (5.15%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.03% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 93.99% and 5.47% spoke Amharic; the remaining 0.54% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 53.84% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 32.93% of the population professed Protestantism, 2.73% of the population were Muslim and 9.85% said they held traditional beliefs. [1]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 2,329,699 in 480,735 households, of whom 1,153,185 were men and 1,176,514; 225,993 or 9.7% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The three largest ethnic groups reported in West Shewa were the Oromo (89.78%), the Amhara (6.66%), and the Gurage (1.73%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.83% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 89.47%, 7.32% Amharic, and 1.16% spoke Sebat Bet Gurage; the remaining 2.05% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 80.6% of the population having reported they practice that belief, while 7% of the population said they held traditional beliefs, 6.58% were Protestant, and 5.34% were Muslim. [2]
According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 35% of the inhabitants of West Shewa have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 29.2 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers), [3] the average rural household has 1.4 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 1.14 for the Oromia Region) [4] and the equivalent of 0.7 heads of livestock. 31.8% 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 28% in secondary schools. Concerning health, 89% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and none to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 406. [5]
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.
North Shewa is a zone in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. North Shewa takes its name from the kingdom and former province of Shewa. The Zone is bordered on the south and the west by the Oromia Region, on the north by South Wollo, on the northeast by the Oromia Zone, and on the east by the Afar Region. The highest point in the Zone is Mount Abuye Meda, which is found in the Gish woreda; other prominent peaks include Mount Megezez. Towns in North Shewa include Ankober, Debre Birhan, and Shewa Robit.
The Oromia Zone is a zone in Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Oromia is named for the Oromo people, who settled along the edge of the Ethiopian Highlands that form this Zone. Oromia Zone is bordered on the southwest by North Shewa Zone, on the northwest by South Wollo and Argobba special woreda, and on the east by the Afar Region. The Zone consists of 7 Woredas which are Artuma Fursi, Bati, Bati Town, Dewa Cheffa, Dewa Harewa, Jilye Tumuga and Kemisie town. Kemise is the administrative center of the Zone.
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.
East Welega is one of the zones in the central Oromia Region of Ethiopia. This administrative division acquired its name from the former province of Welega. Towns and cities in this zone include Nekemte.
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 centre 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 the capital Adama. With the intent to rehabilitate degraded forests, the Zonal Agriculture and Rural Development Office announced 2 October 2006 that it had planted over 36.3 million seedlings in 10 of the Zone's 12 woredas, covering 4,000 hectares of land.
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.
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
Bako Tibe is one of the Aanaas, or districts, in the Oromia 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.
Amaya is one of the Aanaas in the Oromia of Ethiopia. Part of the Southwest Shewa Zone, Amaya is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west and north by West Shewa Zone, on the northeast by Wonchi, and on the east by Walisona Goro. The major town in Amaya is Gindo.
Ejerie is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Shewa Zone, it is bordered on the south by the Southwest Shewa Zone, on the west by Dendi, on the northwest by Jeldu, on the north by Meta Robi, on the northeast by Adda Berga, and on the east by Walmara. The major town in Ejerie is Ejerie town, after which the District is sometimes named.
Walmara is a district in the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is bordered on the south by the Sebeta Hawas, on the west by West Shewa Zone, on the north by Mulo, on the northeast by the Sululta, and on the east by the city of Addis Ababa. Towns in Walmara include Kolobo and Holeta.
Sebata Hawas, also spelled Sabbataa Awaas, is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Alem Gena is on the southwest by Southwest Shewa Zone, on the northwest by Walmara, on the north by Burayu, on the northeast by the city of Addis Ababa, and on the east by the Akaki. The Awash River defines this woreda's boundary with south west Shewa Zone. The towns in Sebeta Hawas include Sebeta Hawas (Town), Awash Melka, and Tefki. The town of Sebeta was separated from this district.
Kersana Malima or Kersa and Malima, is a Aanaa in Oromia, Ethiopia. Part of the Southwest Shewa Zone, Kersana Mailma is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west by Kokir, on the northwest by Tole, on the northeast by Sebeta Hawas, and on the east by the East Shewa Zone; the Awash defines the boundary between this woreda and Alem Gena and the Misraq Shewa Zone. The major town in Kersana Malima is Leman. Sodo Dacha woreda was separated from Kersana Malima.
Waliso is one of the Aanaas in the Oromia of Ethiopia. It was part of former Walisona Goro Aanaa what was separated for Goro (Aanaa) and Waliso Aanaa and Waliso Town. Part of the Southwest Shewa Zone, it was bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west by Amaya, on the northwest by Wonchi, on the north by Dawo, on the northeast by Becho and on the east by Saden Soddo. Towns in Waliso include Waliso and Dilala.
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 Anbiso.
Southwest Shewa is one of the zones of the Oromia in Ethiopia. This zone takes its name from the kingdom or former province of Shewa. Between 2002 and 2005, a number of districts were separated from West Shewa Zone to create Southwest Shewa Zone. Towns in it include Waliso and Tulu Bolo.
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.
