Demographics
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this Zone has a total population of 1,350,415, of whom 671,538 are men and 678,877 women; with an area of 10,833.19 square kilometers, West Welega has a population density of 124.66. While 146,672 or 7.39% are urban inhabitants, a further 2,578 or 0.19% are pastoralists. A total of 266,773 households were counted in this Zone, which results in an average of 5.06 persons to a household, and 250,473 housing units. The three largest ethnic groups reported in West Welega were the Oromo (76.72%), the Mao (1.45%), and the Amhara (21.2%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.63% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 97.06%, 1.36% spoke Mao, and 21.15% Amharic; the remaining 0.43% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Protestantism, with 54.55% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 24.19% of the population practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and 18.66% were Muslim. [2]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 1,547,075 in 289,555 households, of whom 766,461 were men and 780,614 women; 132,525 or 8.57% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The three largest ethnic groups reported in West Welega were the Oromo (76.07%), the Amhara (22.4%), and the Mao (0.86%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.67% of the population. Oromo was spoken as a first language by 76.68%, 22.24% Amharic, and 0.67% spoke Mao; the remaining 0.41% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 44.03% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 37.28% of the population said they were Protestant, 16.88% were Muslim, and 1.1% were Catholic. [3]
According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 7% of the inhabitants of West Welega have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 38.5 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers), [4] the average rural household has 1.2 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 1.14 for the Oromia Region) [5] and the equivalent of 0.8 heads of livestock. 20.7% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a Regional average of 24%. Concerning education, 71% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 29% in secondary schools. Concerning health, 87% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 71% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 369. [6]
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.
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.
Bale Zone 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.
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.
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.
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 Af Soomaali (Harargheda Bariga 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.
Darimu is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. This woreda takes its name from the name of the region it lies in, "Darimu", which is mentioned in Alexander Bulatovich's book, From Entotto to the River Baro, published in 1897. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Darimu is bordered on the south by Metu, on the west and north by the Kelem Welega Zone, and on the east by Supena Sodo. The major town in Darimu is Dipa.
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.
Mana Sibu is one of the 180 Aanaas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the West Welega Zone, Mana Sibu is bordered on the south by Jarso, on the southwest by Begi, on the north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the southeast by Nejo. Mendi is the administrative center. Kiltu Kara woreda was part of Mana Sibu woreda.
Jarso is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Welega Zone, Jarso is bordered on the south by Ayra Guliso, on the southwest by Gawo Dale, on the west by Begi, on the north by Mana Sibu, on the northeast by Nejo, and on the southeast by Boji. Towns in Jarso include Dabeka and Geba Dafino.
Anfillo is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Kelem Welega Zone, Anfillo is bordered on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the north by Jimma Gidami, on the northeast by Yemalogi Welele, and on the east by Sayo. The major town in Anfillo is Mugi.
Begi is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Welega Zone, Begi is bordered on the south by Kelem Welega Zone, on the west and north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the northeast by Mana Sibu, and on the east by Jarso. Towns in Begi include Begi, Kober, and Segno Gebeya. Kondala woreda was part of Begi woreda.
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.
Gida Ayana and Kiremu is a woreda in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the East Welega Zone, Gida Ayana and Kiremu is bordered on the south by Guto Gida, on the west by Limmu, on the northwest by Ibantu, on the east by Horo Gudru Welega Zone, and on the north by the Blue Nile river. The administrative center of the woreda is Gida Ayana; other towns include Gutin and Kiremu.
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.
