Babille

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Babille
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type =
motto =


imagesize = 300px
image_caption =


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
city_logo =
citylogo_size =


mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x = |dot_y =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Ethiopia
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Oromia
subdivision_type2 = Zone
subdivision_name2 = Misraq Hararghe Zone
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2005
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total =16,454
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone = EAT
utc_offset = +3
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
latd=9 |latm=13 |latNS=N
longd=42 |longm=20 |longEW=E
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1648
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name =
blank_info =
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Babille is a town in eastern Ethiopia. Named after one of the 12 major tribes of the Oromo people (the Babille Oromo), this town is located in the Misraq Hararghe Zone of the Oromia Region, 30 kilometers east of Harar, and has a latitude and longitude of coord|09|13|N|42|20|E|region:ET-OR_type:city(16454)|display=inline,title with an elevation of 1648 meters above sea level.

Babille is reported to have telephone service by 1967. [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/B/ORTBAA.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 20 January 2008)]

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this town has an estimated total population of 16,454 of whom 8,386 were males and 8,068 were females. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.4] The 1994 national census reported this town had a total population of 9,195 of whom 4,548 were males and 4,647 were females. It is the largest town in Babille, Oromia woreda.

Babille is known for its hot springs, mineral water and the Babille Elephant Sanctuary. The Dakhata Valley (also called the "Valley of Marvels"), known for its rock formations and birdlife, lies seven kilometers from the town. [Philip Briggs, "Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide", 3rd edition (Chalfont St Peters: Bradt, 2002), pp. 366f.] Nearby is the pass known as the Babille Gap, which has been used at least twice as a strongpoint to hold against invaders: once by the Italians in 1941 during the Second World War, and later by the Ethiopian army in 1977 during the Ogaden War against the Somali army.

References