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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. The highest point in the Zone is Mount Abuye Meda (4012 meters); other prominent peaks include Mount Megezez.

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]

• Angolalla Terana Asagirt
• Ankober
• Antsokiyana Gemza
• Berehet
• Debre Berhan Zuria
• Efratana Gidim
• Gera Midira Keya Gebriel
• Geshe Rabel
• Hagere Mariamna Kesem
• Kewet
• Lay Betna Tach Bet
• Mafud Mezezo Mojana
• Mam Midrina Lalo Midir
• Minjjarna Shenkora
• Moretna Jiru
• Siyadebrina Wayu Ensaro
• Weremo Wajetuna Midarema

1. ^ CSA 2005 National Statistics, Tables B.3 and B.4
2. ^ "Ethiopia - Second Road Sector Development Program Project", p.3 (World Bank Project Appraisal Document, published 19 May 2003)
3. ^ Comparative national and regional figures comes from another World Bank publication, Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991 (accessed 23 March 2006).
4. ^ World Bank, Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization (accessed 23 March 2006).

• Svein Ege, "North Shäwa 1:100,000. Topographic and administrative map of North Shäwa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia."