Hamer Bena

Hamer Bena is one of the 77 woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Omo Zone, Hamer Bena is bordered on the south by Kenya, on the southwest by Kuraz, on the northwest by the Usno River which separates it from Selamago, on the north by Bako Gazer, on the northeast by the Konso special woreda, and on the east by the Oromia Region; the Weito River separates it from Konso and the Oromia Region and the Neri River defines part of the boundary with Bako Gazer. Hamer Bena includes part of Lake Chew Bahir along its southeastern border. Towns in Hamer Bena include Arbore and Turmi.

Numerous ethnic groups have their homelands in this woreda. The Hamer people have their homeland in the western part, the Arbore people in the eastern part, the Tsamai in the northeastern, while the small homeland of the Birale people is an enclave within the territory of Hamer people. Part of the northwestern corner is included in the Omo National Park.

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 84,293, of whom 42,077 were males and 42,216 were females; 4,171 or 4.95% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 8.5%. With an estimated area of 8,850.94 square kilometers, Hamer Bena has an estimated population density of 9.5 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 21.1. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4]

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