Wondo Genet
Wondo Genet | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Wondo Genet Location within Ethiopia | |
| Coordinates:7°1′N38°35′E/ 7.017°N 38.583°E | |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Region |  Sidama |
| Elevation | 1,723 m (5,653 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+3(EAT) |
Wondo Genet(also transliteratedWendo Genet) is aresort towninEthiopialocated southeast ofShashemenein theSidama Regionwith an elevation of 1723 meters.
Wondo Genet is connected to Shashamene by way of Wendo Wosha, by newly improved paved road; the last three kilometers from Wendo Wosha is a gravel road but in fairly good condition.[1]
Based on figures from theCentral Statistical Agencyof Ethiopia published in 2005, Wondo Genet has an estimated total population of 5,792 consisting of 2,857 men and 2,935 women.[2]The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 3,197 of whom 1,582 were males and 1,615 were females. It is the main town inWondo Genetworeda.
Wondo Genet is known for itshot springsand is surrounded by primary Ethiopian forests. It is home to anarboretumand aCollege of Forestrywhich was founded in 1977 with Swedish assistance.[3]Also located in this resort town is theEssential Oils Research Sub Center,where spices, aromatic and medicinal plants are conserved and their qualities researched.
History
[edit]The Swedish Philadelphia Church Mission opened a mission in this town in 1961, which included a medical clinic.[3]
The Wondo Genet hotel was established in 1964, on land used as recreation site for the royal family until 1975. EmperorHaile Selassiebequeathed its name, meaning "Wondo Paradise", in reference to the beautiful panorama with a rich endowment of forests, wildlife and abundant water. Title to the hotel was transferred to the then Hotels Corporation, and currently it is a subsidiary of the Wabe Shebelle Hotels Enterprise. The hotel facilities include 54.4 ha area of land and possesses 40 bed rooms, restaurant and a bar, as well as swimming pools and access to the hot springs.[1]
The Wendo Genetearthquakeof 1983 was among the most significant in Ethiopia in the 20th century. Its magnitude has not been determined, but was severe enough that the frightened inhabitants gathered at theEthiopian Orthodoxchurch below the hotel to sing and pray the whole day and the whole night. A later disaster was a complex offorest fireswhich erupted in 17 places in southern Ethiopia on 10 February 2000 including the vicinity of the College.[3]
On 3 April 2008, 18 people were killed in clashes near Wondo Genet between theGuji OromoandSidama peopleover ownership to grazing and farm land.[4]
References
[edit]- ^abAli Mohammed (2007),Recreation use value of Wondo Genet wetland ecosystem - EthiopiaMasters' Thesis, submitted to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- ^"2005 National Statistics, Table B.4".Central Statistical Agency. Archived fromthe original(pdf)on November 23, 2006.RetrievedFebruary 10,2006.
- ^abc"Local History in Ethiopia"(pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 4 June 2008)
- ^"Land clashes kill 18 in Ethiopia"Australian Broadcasting Corporation website, posted 9 April 2008 (accessed 1 June 2008)
External links
[edit]
Media related toWondo Genetat Wikimedia Commons