Gambela (woreda)

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Gambela is one of the eight woredas in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 1, Gambela is bordered on the south by the Administrative Zone 2, on the west by Itang, and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. The major town in Gambela is Gambela.

Elevations in Gambela range 400-600 meters above sea level; the high point is Mount Mesengo den Ch'aka. Rivers include the Baro. According to the Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy published by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), around 20% of the woreda is forest.^[1] A notable landmark is the Gambela National Park, which covers the woreda south of the Baro and west of the Gambela - Fugnido road.

Although Gambela is the most economically developed woreda in the Region, its economy is predomantly agricultural. however, there are no agricultural cooperatives. Estimated road density is reported to be between 20.1 and 30 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers.^[2]

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 41,867, of whom 20,584 were males and 21,283 were females; 31,282 or 74.72% of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 52%. With an estimated area of 2,859.85 square kilometers, Gambela has an estimated population density of 14.6 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 14.27.^[3] The ethnic composition of this woreda consists of Amhara, Tigray and other "highlanders"; minorities of Anuak and Nuer, as well as small groups of Mezhenger are also present in this woreda. There is also a refugee camp at Bonga, east of Gambella town, and the ethnic makeup of its inhabitants are 95% Uduk.^[4]

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