West Shewa Zone (Oromo: Shawaa Lixaa) is a zone in central Oromia, immediately west of Addis Ababa, named after the historic province of Shewa. Its administrative centre is Ambo, and the zone covers 14,788.78 square kilometres with a 2007 census population of 2,058,676 — a density of 139.21 people per square kilometre. It is one of Oromia’s most populous zones and its highland grain belt.
| Region | Oromia |
| Administrative centre | Ambo |
| Woredas | 19 |
| Area | 14,788.78 km² |
| Population (2007 census) | 2,058,676 |
| Density | 139.21 per km² |
| Highest point | Mount Wenchi, 3,386 m |
| Main language | Afaan Oromoo |
Woredas (Districts)
- Abuna Ginde Beret
- Adda Berga
- Ambo Town
- Bako Tibe
- Cheliya
- Dano
- Dendi
- Dire Enchini
- Ejerie
- Elfata
- Ginde Beret
- Gurraacha Enchini
- Jeldu
- Jibat
- Meta Robi
- Midakegn
- Naannawa Ambo
- Nono
- Toke Kutaye
Major Towns
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Ambo | 48,171 | 99,900 |
| Ginchi | 18,134 | 37,600 |
| Guder | 14,742 | 30,600 |
| Gedo | — | 23,300 |
| Kachisi | — | 22,900 |
Other towns on the zone’s roads include Bako and Tibe in the west, Shikute, Inchini and Tikur Inchini in the east, and Jeldu and Dendi in the highlands north of Ambo.
Geography
West Shewa is high, cool country: most of the zone lies between 2,000 and 3,000 metres, cut by deep gorges draining north to the Blue Nile. Mount Wenchi reaches 3,386 metres and holds Wenchi Crater Lake, with an island monastery, in its caldera; Mount Mengesha and Mount Wechacha stand on the eastern edge toward Addis Ababa. The Guder River drops over the Guder Falls just west of Ambo.
The zone borders Southwest Shewa Zone to the south, Jimma Zone to the south-west, East Welega Zone to the west, Horo Guduru Welega Zone to the north-west, Amhara Region across the Blue Nile to the north, North Shewa Zone to the north-east, and the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne to the east.
Demographics
The 2007 census counted 2,058,676 people: 1,028,501 men and 1,030,175 women. The Oromo were 93.82 per cent of residents and the Amhara 5.15 per cent. Afaan Oromoo was the first language of 93.99 per cent and Amharic of 5.47 per cent. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians were 53.84 per cent, Protestants 32.93 per cent, followers of traditional Oromo religion 9.85 per cent and Muslims 2.73 per cent.
No census has been held since 2007. The statistical agency projects Oromia at about 40.1 million for 2022, but has published no zone-level projection for West Shewa on current boundaries.
Economy & Local Life
This is grain country. Teff, wheat, barley and maize dominate, with pulses on rotation and eucalyptus woodlots on the ridges; rural households hold about 1.4 hectares on average. Bako Tibe is a national maize research and seed-production centre. Cattle, sheep and horses are kept throughout, and the Sunday markets at Ambo, Ginchi and Guder are among the largest in central Oromia.
Ambo is known nationally for its naturally carbonated mineral water, bottled since the 1930s, and for Ambo University. Guder is associated with orchards and the falls. About 35 per cent of the zone’s population has access to electricity, and road density is 29.2 kilometres per 1,000 square kilometres.
Getting There
Ambo is about 125 kilometres west of Addis Ababa on an asphalt road through Holeta and Ginchi, roughly two to three hours by bus, with frequent departures. The same road continues west through Bako to Nekemte. Gravel roads climb north from Ambo to Jeldu and Kachisi and south to Dano and Nono. There is no airport in the zone; Addis Ababa’s Bole airport is the nearest.
FAQ
Where is West Shewa Zone?
In central Oromia, directly west of Addis Ababa, with its centre at Ambo about 125 kilometres from the capital.
What is the capital of West Shewa Zone?
Ambo, projected at about 99,900 people for 2022.
How many woredas are in West Shewa Zone?
Nineteen, including Ambo town administration.
What is the population of West Shewa Zone?
2,058,676 at the 2007 census, over 14,788.78 square kilometres.
What is West Shewa known for?
Ambo mineral water, Wenchi Crater Lake, the Guder Falls and teff and wheat farming.