Oromia Region

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Image:Ethiopia-Oromia.png Image:Oromoflag.png

Oromia (sometimes spelled Oromiya and spelled Oromiyaa in the Oromo language) is one of the nine ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia. Covering 353,632 km² from the east to the southwest of the country, its population was estimated in 2002 at about twenty-four million, making it the largest state in terms of both population and land area. It includes the former Arsi Province along with portions of the former Bale, Hararghe, Illubabor, Kaffa, Shewa, Sidamo, and Welega provinces. Its current capital is Adama.

Among Oromo separatists, Oromia refers to a proposed independent Oromo nation, which would consist of the same territory that forms the present-day de jure regional state.

Prior to the twenty-first century, the regional capital of Oromia was Addis Ababa, also known as Finfinne (the original name in the Oromo language). The relocation of the regional capital to Adama sparked considerable controversy. Critics of the move believed the Ethiopian government wished to deemphasize Addis Ababa's location within Oromia.Template:Ref Template:Ref On the other hand, the government maintained that Addis Ababa "has been found inconvenient from the point of view of developing the language, culture and history of the Oromo people."Template:Ref

On June 10, 2005, the Oromo Peoples' Democratic Organization (OPDO), part of the ruling EPRDF coalition, officially announced plans to move the state capital back to Finfinne.Template:Ref

1 Demographics
2 Economic
3 Presidents of the Executive Committee
4 Zones
5 References
6 External links

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Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA) published in 2005, Oromia has an estimated total population of 26,553,000, consisting of 13,249,999 men and 13,303,001 women. With an estimated area of 353,006.81 square kilometers, this region has an estimated density of 75.22 people per square kilometer.Template:Ref

According to the 1994 census, the total population was 18,732,525, of which 9,371,228 were males and 9,361,297 females. The rural residents of the State accounted for 89.5% of the total. 44.3% were Muslims, 41.3% Orthodox Christians, 8.6% Protestants, and 4.2% followers of traditional religions. The remaining 1.6% constitute other religious groups; in urban areas, Orthodox Christians constitute 67.8% of the population, followed by Muslims at 24.0%, and Protestants 7%.

The major ethnic groups within the State include the Oromo (85%), Amhara, and 1.3% Gurage (some of Sebat Bet Gurage, Soddo Gurage, and Silt'e). The remaining 4.6% constitute other ethnic groups.

Oromo (Oromiffa), presently written with Latin characters, is the official language, constituting 83.5% of the spoken language. Other major languages are Amharic (11%), Gurage languages (Sebat Bet Gurage, Soddo, Silt'e), Hadiyya, Gedeo (0.98%) and Tigrigna (0.25%).

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Economic

The CSA reported that for 2004-2005 115,083 tons of coffee and tea were produced in Oromia, based on inpsection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. Farmers in the Region had an estimated total of 17,214,540 cattle, 6,905,370 sheep, 4,849,060 goats, 959,710 horses, 63,460 mules, 278,440 asses, 139,830 camels, 11,637,070 poultry of all species, and 2,513,790 beehives.Template:Ref

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