Semien Shewa Zone (Amhara)

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For the Zone in the Oromia Region, see Semien Shewa Zone (Oromia).

Semien Shewa (or "North Shewa") is one of 10 Zones in the Ethiopian Amhara Region. Semen Shewa takes its name from the kingdom or former province of Shewa.

Semen Shewa is bordered on the south and the west by the Oromia Region, on the north by Debub Wollo, on the northeast by the Oromia Zone, and on the east by the Afar Region. Towns and cities in Semen Shewa include Ankober, Debre Berhan, and Shewa Robit.

[edit] Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 2,159,301, of which 1,080,266 were males and 1,079,035 were females; 255,275 or 11.8% of its population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 16,070.23 square kilometers, Semen Shewa has an estimated population density of 134.37 people per square kilometer.^[1]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, 4% of the inhabitants of Semien Shewa have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 41.4 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers (compared to the national average of 30 kilometers)^[2], the average rural household has 1.2 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 0.75 for the Amhara Region)^[3] and the equivalent of 0.9 heads of livestock. 15.7% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and a Regional average of 21%. 48% of all eligibile children are enrolled in primary school, and 12% in secondary schools. 39% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and 14% to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 487.^[4]