North Shewa (Amharic: ሰሜን ሸዋ, Semien Shewa) is the southernmost zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, with its capital at Debre Birhan. It covers 15,936.13 square kilometres and holds 22 woredas plus the Debre Birhan town administration. The 2007 census counted 1,837,490 residents; the Ethiopian Statistics Service projects 2,429,108 for 2022.
This is the Amhara Region’s North Shewa. Oromia Region has a separate zone of the same name, seated at Fiche, and the two are frequently confused. They are different administrations in different regions; the zone described here is the one whose capital is Debre Birhan.
| Capital | Debre Birhan |
|---|---|
| Region | Amhara |
| Woredas | 22 plus Debre Birhan town |
| Area | 15,936.13 km2 |
| Population (2007 census) | 1,837,490 |
| Population (2022 projection) | 2,429,108 |
| Highest point | Mount Abuye Meda, 4,012 m |
Woredas (Districts)
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Angolala Tera | 82,349 | 104,671 |
| Ankober | 76,510 | 96,367 |
| Antsokiya Gemza | 79,091 | 108,070 |
| Asagirt | 48,371 | 59,351 |
| Basona Werana | 120,930 | 146,283 |
| Berehet | 34,810 | 45,931 |
| Debre Birhan town | 65,231 | 146,918 |
| Efrata Gidim | 110,493 | 148,674 |
| Ensaro | 58,203 | 73,111 |
| Gishe | 61,521 | 76,718 |
| Hagere Mariam Kesem | 55,235 | 68,537 |
| Kewet | 118,381 | 160,500 |
| Menz Gera Midir | 120,469 | 156,127 |
| Menz Keya Gebreal | 46,219 | 58,197 |
| Menz Lalo Midir | 17,308 | 20,757 |
| Menz Mama Midir | 85,129 | 108,954 |
| Merhabete | 126,501 | 165,514 |
| Mida Woremo | 93,729 | 119,819 |
| Minjar Shenkora | 128,879 | 167,418 |
| Mojana Wadera | 69,667 | 86,153 |
| Moretna Jiru | 92,937 | 120,945 |
| Saya Debirna Wayu | 61,046 | 77,962 |
| Tarma Ber | 84,481 | 112,131 |
North Shewa’s districts have been renamed, merged and redrawn more often than those of any other Amhara zone, so older lists differ from this one.
Major Towns
| Town | Woreda | Population (2022 proj.) |
|---|---|---|
| Debre Birhan | Town administration | 146,900 |
| Shewa Robit | Kewet | 39,600 |
| Ataye (Efeson) | Efrata Gidim | 26,300 |
| Mehal Meda | Menz Gera Midir | 24,900 |
| Alem Ketema | Merhabete | 23,500 |
| Arerti | Minjar Shenkora | 23,000 |
Ankober, the old Shewan royal seat east of Debre Birhan, is now a small town best known for its palace ruins and the escarpment birding site above it.
Geography
North Shewa occupies the southern tip of the Amhara Region. It borders Oromia Region to the south and west, South Wollo to the north, the Oromia Special Zone to the north-east, and Afar Region to the east.
The zone spans the eastern escarpment of the Ethiopian highlands. The Menz plateau in the north-west rises above 3,000 metres and culminates in Mount Abuye Meda at 4,012 metres in Gishe woreda; Mount Megezez stands to the south. East of Debre Birhan the land falls in a single dramatic step through Ankober and Tarma Ber to the Rift floor around Shewa Robit and the Kesem valley, dropping more than 2,000 metres in about 50 kilometres. The Jamma and Wanchit rivers cut deep gorges towards the Abay in the west.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 1,837,490 people, 928,694 men and 908,796 women, in 429,423 households, 17.72 per cent above the 1994 count. Urban residents were 11.66 per cent.
The Amhara were 90.73 per cent of the population, the Oromo 7.14 per cent and the Argobba 1.71 per cent. Amharic was the first language of 92.97 per cent and Oromiffa of 6.32 per cent. Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity was practised by 94.71 per cent and Islam by 4.91 per cent, the Muslim population concentrated in the eastern lowland woredas. The 2022 figure of 2,429,108 is a projection, not a count.
Economy & Local Life
Barley, wheat, pulses and, lower down, teff and sorghum are the main crops. The Menz highlands are sheep country: the Menz breed is kept for coarse wool as well as meat, and hand-woven blankets and rugs are a traditional cash product. Dairy and fattening supply Addis Ababa, which is close enough for daily trade.
Debre Birhan is the industrial anchor, with a university, a large industrial park and food and beverage plants, and it functions as a satellite manufacturing town for the capital. Shewa Robit and Ataye trade highland produce against lowland livestock brought up from Afar. Ankober and the Menz-Guassa community conservation area attract a small stream of birders and trekkers.
Getting There
Debre Birhan sits about 130 kilometres north-east of Addis Ababa on Ethiopian highway 2, the Dessie road, and is reached in around two hours on tarmac. Buses and minibuses run frequently from Addis Ababa. The same road continues north through Debre Sina, Ataye and Kemise. Alem Ketema and the Menz woredas are reached on branch roads west and north of Debre Birhan. The nearest airports are in Addis Ababa and, for the north of the zone, Kombolcha.
Road travel across the Amhara Region has been disrupted since 2023 by fighting between federal forces and Fano militias, with the Addis Ababa to Dessie highway affected. Check current conditions before travelling.
FAQ
Where is North Shewa Zone in Amhara?
In the far south of the Amhara Region, immediately north-east of Addis Ababa, between Oromia Region and Afar Region.
What is the capital of North Shewa Zone?
Debre Birhan, about 130 kilometres from Addis Ababa at 2,840 metres above sea level.
Is this the same as North Shewa Zone in Oromia?
No. Oromia Region has its own North Shewa Zone with its seat at Fiche. The zone described here belongs to the Amhara Region and is seated at Debre Birhan.
How many woredas are in North Shewa Zone?
Twenty-two rural woredas plus the Debre Birhan town administration.
What is the population of North Shewa Zone?
1,837,490 at the 2007 census, projected at 2,429,108 for 2022.
What is the highest mountain in North Shewa?
Mount Abuye Meda in Gishe woreda, 4,012 metres above sea level.