Semien Shewa Zone (Oromia)

Semien Shewa (or "North Shewa") is one of the 12 Zones of the Ethiopian Region of Oromia. Semien Shewa takes its name from the kingdom or former province of Shewa.

Semien Shewa is bordered on the south by Addis Ababa, on the southwest by Mirab Shewa, on the north by the Amhara Region, and on the southeast by Misraq Shewa. Towns and cities in Semien Shewa include Debre Libanos, Fiche and Gebre Guracha.

Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 1,626,487, of whom 806,536 were males and 819,951 were females; 154,075 or 9.5% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 11,376.32 square kilometers, Semien Shewa has an estimated population density of 142.97 people per square kilometer. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 7% of the inhabitants of Semien Shewa have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 55.0 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers), [" [http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679&entityID=000112742_20030530104124&searchMenuPK=64187283&theSitePK=523679 Ethiopia - Second Road Sector Development Program Project] ", p.3 (World Bank Project Appraisal Document, published 19 May 2003)] the average rural household has 1.1 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 1.14 for the Oromia Region) [Comparative national and regional figures comes from another World Bank publication, [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?ImgPagePK=64202990&entityID=000094946_03032704080562&menuPK=64168175&pagePK=64210502&theSitePK=477938&piPK=64210520 Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991] (accessed 23 March 2006).] and the equivalent of 0.8 heads of livestock. 14.9% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a regional average of 24%. 62% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 12% in secondary schools. 41% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and none to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 510. [ [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Resources/PREM/FourEthiopiasrev6.7.5.May24.pdf World Bank, "Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization"] (accessed 23 March 2006).]

Woredas

*Abichuna Gne'a
*Berehna Aleltu
*Dera
*Gegem
*Gerar Jarso
*Hidabu Abote
*Kembibit
*Kuyu
*Mulona Sululta
*Wara Jarso
*Wuchalena Jido
*Yaya Gulelena Debre Liban

Notes