Itang (woreda)

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Itang is one of the eight woredas in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 1, Itang is bordered on the south by the Administrative Zone 2, on the west by Administrative Zone 3, on the north by the Oromia Region, and on the east by Gambela; part of the southern boundary is defined by the Alwero River.

The major town in Itang is Itang. The terrain is mostly flat; the altitude of this woreda ranges from 350 to 480 meters above sea level; rivers include the Baro. According to the Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy published by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), around 10% of the woreda is forest.^[1] A notable landmark is the Gambela National Park, which embraces the woreda south of the Bora.

The economy of Itang is predomantly agricultural. There are no agricultural cooperatives, no documented roads, and little other infrastructure.^[2]

Based on figures published by the CSA in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 25,175, of whom 12,519 were males and 12,656 were females; 3,601 or 14.30% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 52%. With an estimated area of 1,837.04 square kilometers, Itang has an estimated population density of 13.7 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 14.27.^[3] The ethnic composition of this woreda is predominantly Nuer with a sizeable minority consisting of Anuak, as well as Amhara, Tigray and other "highlanders".^[4] Most of the Nuer people in this woreda are either internally displaced from the Akobo and Jikawo woredas due to conflicts that occurred in the region, or are refugees from Sudan. Their number may decrease if peace prevails in the Gambela Region and Sudan.^{[citation needed]}