Shakiso

Shakiso is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Borena Zone of the Oromia Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of coord|5|45|N|38|55|E and an elevation of 1758 meters above sea level.

Two of the major mines of Ethiopia are located near Shakiso: the Lega Dembi gold and the Kenticha tantalum mines. Shakiso is served by an airport (ICAO code HASK, IATA SKR).

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Shakiso has an estimated total population of 28,260, of whom 15,463 were males and 12,797 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 15,757 of whom 8,386 were males and 7,371 were females. It is the larger of the two towns in Odo Shakiso woreda.

The Swedish Red Cross report encountering a customs post at Shakiso when moving at the southern front in early 1936. There were two substantial waterholes there, although the water was somewhat salty. The customs staff had four small buildings on the top of a hill near the main road. Their primary task was to collect salt tax from caravans, which amounted to ten or eleven Maria Theresa Thalers per month before the Second Italian-Abyssinian War. [ [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/s/ORTSHA.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 27 November 2007)]

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