Administrative Zone 2 (Afar)
Encyclopedia
Administrative Zone 2 is one of five Zones of the Afar Region
of Ethiopia
. This zone is bordered on the south by Administrative Zone 4
, on the southwest by Administrative Zone 1
, on the west by the Amhara Region
, and on the northeast by Eritrea
. The administrative center of Zone 2 is Abala
(also known in the highlands as Shiket). Also located in this zone is the former mining settlement of Dallol
, which set the record for the hottest inhabited place on Earth
, with an average temperature of 34° C.
Zone 2 Administrator: Hussein Nur Omar
. As a result, a UNDP mission visiting the Zone described it as "the most isolated zone of the Afar National Regional State", at the time showing signs of "suffered heavily from bombardment, as well as from general neglect. Much of the remaining infrastructure dates from the Haile Selassie era."
At the time the UNDP visited, they observed two major socio-political issues in the Zone. The first was a smoldering conflict between the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front
(ARDUF) and government forces. The ARDUF conducted sporadic attacks on government military forces and officials and competed for control of the salt trade. In response, the military closed markets at Berhale
, Garamoyti, Gaharta, ‘Ala, Mergis and Dande, and schools in at least three woredas. The second was the continued influx of rural Afar, primarily nomads, from Eritrea. These new arrivals claimed to be fleeing the Eritrean government’s recent enforcement of its National Service programme and a parallel agenda of disarmament. Despite a lack of external assistance, these refugees were given assistance and shelter due to clan ties between them and the locals.
in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 272,023, of whom 147,556 are men and 124,467 are women; 7,299 or 2.7% of its population are urban dwellers. Information is not available for the area of this Zone, so the population density cannot be calculated.
The 1996 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 218,721, of whom 121,598 were men and 97,123 women; 4,990 or 2.3% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The major ethnic groupings in 1996 were 97.73% Afar
and 2.16% Tigrean. Of the school-age school-age children, 2.31 (3.25% male and 1.10% female) were currently attending school, which is lower than the Regional average; 4.16% of the total population over the age of 10 (6.26% male and 1.5% female) are reported to be literate.
Afar Region
Afar is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, and is the homeland of the Afar people. Formerly known as Region 2, its current capital is Asayita; a new capital named Semera on the paved Awash - Asseb highway is under construction....
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. This zone is bordered on the south by Administrative Zone 4
Administrative Zone 4 (Afar)
Administrative Zone 4 is one of five Zones of the Afar Region of Ethiopia. This zone is bordered on the south and east by Administrative Zone 1, on the west by the Amhara Region, and on the north by Administrative Zone 2...
, on the southwest by Administrative Zone 1
Administrative Zone 1 (Afar)
Administrative Zone 1 is one of five Zones of the Afar Region of Ethiopia. This zone is bordered on the south by Administrative Zone 3, on the southwest by Administrative Zone 5, on the west by the Amhara Region, on the northwest by Administrative Zones 4 and 2, on the north by Eritrea, and on the...
, on the west by the Amhara Region
Amhara Region
Amhara is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, containing the homeland of the Amhara people. Previously known as Region 3, its capital is Bahir Dar....
, and on the northeast by Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
. The administrative center of Zone 2 is Abala
Abala, Ethiopia
Abala is a town in northeastern Ethiopia. The administrative center of Zone 2 of the Afar Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation of 1482 meters above sea level....
(also known in the highlands as Shiket). Also located in this zone is the former mining settlement of Dallol
Dallol, Ethiopia
Dallol was a settlement in northern Ethiopia. Located in Administrative Zone 2 of the Afar Region in the Afar Depression, it has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation of about 130 meters below sea level...
, which set the record for the hottest inhabited place on Earth
Extremes on Earth
This article describes extreme locations on Earth. Entries listed in bold are Earth-wide extremes.-Extreme elevations and temperatures per continent:This article describes extreme locations on Earth. Entries listed in bold are Earth-wide extremes....
, with an average temperature of 34° C.
Zone 2 Administrator: Hussein Nur Omar
History
Prior to the adoption of the 1995 constitution, a portion of this Zone (particularly the northern part) was part of Tigray ProvinceTigray Province
Tigray was a province of Ethiopia. The Tigray Region superseded the province with the adoption of the new constitution in 1995. The province of Tigre merged with its neighboring provinces, including Semien, Tembien, Agame and the prominent Enderta province and towards the end of 19th century it...
. As a result, a UNDP mission visiting the Zone described it as "the most isolated zone of the Afar National Regional State", at the time showing signs of "suffered heavily from bombardment, as well as from general neglect. Much of the remaining infrastructure dates from the Haile Selassie era."
At the time the UNDP visited, they observed two major socio-political issues in the Zone. The first was a smoldering conflict between the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front
Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front
The Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front or Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front The Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front or Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front The Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front or Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front (abbreviated ARDUF; ; also...
(ARDUF) and government forces. The ARDUF conducted sporadic attacks on government military forces and officials and competed for control of the salt trade. In response, the military closed markets at Berhale
Berhale
Berhale is a town in north-eastern Ethiopia. Located in the Administrative Zone 2 of the Afar Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an altitude of 639 meters above sea level...
, Garamoyti, Gaharta, ‘Ala, Mergis and Dande, and schools in at least three woredas. The second was the continued influx of rural Afar, primarily nomads, from Eritrea. These new arrivals claimed to be fleeing the Eritrean government’s recent enforcement of its National Service programme and a parallel agenda of disarmament. Despite a lack of external assistance, these refugees were given assistance and shelter due to clan ties between them and the locals.
Demographics
Based on figures from the Central Statistical AgencyCentral Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)
The Central Statistical Agency is an agency of the government of Ethiopia designated to provide all surveys and censuses for that country used to monitor economic and social growth, as well as to act as an official training center in that field. It is part of the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and...
in 2005, this zone has an estimated total population of 272,023, of whom 147,556 are men and 124,467 are women; 7,299 or 2.7% of its population are urban dwellers. Information is not available for the area of this Zone, so the population density cannot be calculated.
The 1996 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 218,721, of whom 121,598 were men and 97,123 women; 4,990 or 2.3% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The major ethnic groupings in 1996 were 97.73% Afar
Afar people
The Afar , also known as the Danakil, are an ethnic group in the Horn of Africa. They primarily live in the Afar Region of Ethiopia and in northern Djibouti, although some also inhabit the southern point of Eritrea.-Early history:...
and 2.16% Tigrean. Of the school-age school-age children, 2.31 (3.25% male and 1.10% female) were currently attending school, which is lower than the Regional average; 4.16% of the total population over the age of 10 (6.26% male and 1.5% female) are reported to be literate.