Metekel Zone

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Metekel is one of the three Zones in the Benishangul-Gumaz Region of Ethiopia. Metekel is bordered on the south by Kamashi, on the southwest by Asosa, on the west by Sudan, and on the north and east by the Amhara Region. The Abay River defines the zone's boundaries with Kamashi and Asosa, while the Dinder River defines part of its boundary with the Amhara Region.

The largest town in Metekel is Manbuk. The highest point is Mount Belaya (3,131 m), part of the Dangur range.

[edit] Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 225,284, of whom 111,986 were males and 113,299 were females; 24,147 or 10.72% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 26,272.38 square kilometers, Metekel has an estimated population density of 8.57 people per square kilometer.^[1]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 8% of the inhabitants of Metekel have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 28.4 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers, the average rural household has 1.4 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 2.25 for pastorial Regions)^[2] and the equivalent of 0.6 heads of livestock. 10% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and an average of 28% for pastorial Regions. 93% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and 25% in secondary schools. 68% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 100% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 433.^[3]