Benishangul-Gumuz Region

Benishangul-Gumuz, also known as Benshangul/Gumaz, is one of the nine ethnic divisions ("kililoch") of Ethiopia. Previously known as Region 6, the region's capital is Asosa. Following the adoption of the 1995 constitution, the Region was created from the westernmost portion of the Gojjam province (the part north of the Abay River), and the northwestern portion of the Welega Province (the part south of the Abay).

Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA) published in 2005, Benishangul-Gumuz has an estimated total population of 625,000, consisting of 315,000 men and 310,000 women. 563,000 or 90.1% of the population are estimated to be rural inhabitants, while 62,000 or 9.92% are urban. With an estimated area of 49,289.46 square kilometers, this region has an estimated density of 12.68 people per square kilometer. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.3.]

These estimates are based on the 1994 census, in which the region's population was reported to be 460,459 of which 233,013 were males and 227,446 were females. Rural population was 424,432, while the urban population was 36,027. [ [http://www.ethiopar.net/English/basinfo/infobngm.htm FDRE States: Basic Information, Beneshangul and Gumuz] (accessed 12 March 2006)]

The region's ethnic groups include the Berta (27% of the population, according to the 1994 census), Gumuz (23%), Amhara (22%), Oromo (13%) and Shinasha (7%). Berta is spoken in the Sherkole woreda, Gumuz is spoken along the western boundary of Guba and Dangur woredas and in the Sirba Abbay woreda, and the Shinasha or Bworo are a displaced people of Kaffa scattered across Welega and Gojjam. The Berta, Gumuz and Shinasha tend to have more in common with the people of neighbouring Sudan than with other Ethiopian peoples, while the Amhara and Tigrayans, who are known as "Habesha" (or "highlanders") are recent arrivals, who began to settle in the region during the Derg era. [According to a October 1996 [http://www.africa.upenn.edu/EUE/eue_ahrens1096.html situation report] written by members of the United Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia, a significant number of the Amhara settlers relocated from the former Wollo Province.]

Agriculture

The CSA of Ethiopia estimated in 2005 that farmers in Benishangul-Gumuz had a total of 307,820 head of cattle (representing 0.79% of Ethiopia's total cattle), 65,800 sheep (0.38%), 244,570 goats (1.88%), 1,770 mules (1.2%), 37,520 asses (1.5%), 732,270 poultry of all species (2.37%), and 166,130 beehives (3.82%). [CSA 2005 National Statistics, Tables D.3 - D.5.]

Over 60% of this Region is covered with forest, including bamboo, eucalyptus and rubber trees, incense and gum forests as well as the indengenous species. However, due to increased population which has led to the widespread destruction of the canopy, authorities announced a campaign on 8 June 2007 to plant 1.5 seedlings over the next two months to replenish this resource. [ [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72625 Ethiopia: Tackling environmental challenges with trees] (IRIN)]

Presidents of the Executive Committee

*Ateyb Ahmed 1990s - 1995
*Yaregal Aysheshum (B-GPDUF) July 1995 - present

(This list is based on information from [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Ethiopia_Regions.html Worldstatesmen.org] .)

Zones

*Asosa Zone
*Kamashi Zone
*Metekel Zone
*Mao-Komo special woreda (Tongo) (not included in any Zone)
*Pawe special woreda (not included in any Zone)

See also

* List of woredas in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region

Notes

External links

* [http://www.ocha-eth.org/Maps/downloadables/BENESHANGUL.pdf Map of Benishangul-Gumuz Region at UN-OCHA] (PDF file)
* [http://www.dppc.gov.et/downloadable/map/administrative/Atlas_BSG.pdf Map of Benishangul-Gumuz Region at DPPA of Ethiopia] (PDF file)
* [http://www.ethiopar.net/English/hofed/hofmemb.html House of Federation] Official Ethiopian Government List of Members