Regions of Ethiopia

Regions Of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is divided into nine ethnically-based administrative regions (kililoch; singular – kilil) and two chartered cities (astedader akababiwach, singular – astedader akabibi). The word "kilil" more specifically means "reservation" or "protected area". The ethnic basis of the regions and choice of the word "kilil" has drawn fierce criticism from the opposition, who have drawn comparisons to the bantustans of apartheid South Africa. The nine regions (and two chartered cities, marked by asterisks) are:

1. Addis Ababa*
2. Afar
3. Amhara
4. Benishangul-Gumuz
5. Dire Dawa*
6. Gambela
7. Harari
8. Oromia
9. Somali
10. Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region
11. Tigray

These administrative regions replaced the older system of provinces (which are still sometimes used to indicate location).