The SNNPR borders Kenya to the south, the Ethiopian region of Gambela to the north, the Ethiopian region of Oromia to the north and east, and Sudan to the west. Besides Awasa, the region's major cities and towns include Arba Minch, Wendo, Dila, Yirga Alem, Worabe (Silte), Sodo, Bonga and Mizan Teferi.

Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA) published in 2005, the SNNPR has an estimated total population of 14,901,990, consisting of 7,408,993 men and 7,492,997 women. With an estimated area of 112,343.19 square kilometers, this region has an estimated density of 132.65 people per square kilometer.

According to the 1994 census report, the total population size of the State was 10,377,028 of which 5,161,787 were males and 5,215,241 were females. The rural population of the State accounted for 93.2% of the total population. North Omo, Sidama, and Guragie were the three zones with the highest population. The population is concentrated mostly in eastern, northern and central part of the State while the western and southern part of the State is sparsely populated.

The state, being an amalgam of the main homelands of numerous ethnicities, contains over forty five indigenous ethnic groups. According to the 1994 census result, the predominantly spoken languages include Sidamigna (18%), Guragigna (14.72%), Wolayitigna (11.53%), Hadiyigna (8.53%), Keffigna (5.22%), and Kembatigna (4.35%). Other languages spoken in the State include Gamoigna, Malo, Goffa, Gedeo and many others; because of the relatively few number of speakers of most of the languages in the region, the working language of the state is Amharic (the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia and former sole official language).

Tribal peoples:Alaba ;Ghedeo ;Gurage ;Hadiya ;Hammer ;Kaffechio ;Kembata ;Mursi ;Sidama ;Silte ;Surma ;Walayta .

Agriculture

The CSA reported that for 2004-2005 100,338 tons of coffee and tea were produced in the SNNPR, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. Farmers in the Region had an estimated total 7,938,490 head of cattle, 3,270,200 sheep, 2,289,970 goats, 298,720 horses, 63,460 mules, 278,440 asses, 6,586,140 poultry of all species, and 726,960 beehives.

Subdivisions :Gurage Zone ;Hadiya Zone ;Kembata Alaba & Tembaro (KAT) Zone ;

Sidama, Gedeo Zone ;Semen (North) Omo Zone ;Debub (South) Omo Zone ;Keficho Shekicho Zone ;Bench Maji Zone ;Yem Special Wereda ;Amaro Special Wereda ;Burji Special Wereda ;Konso Special Wereda ;Dirashe Special Wereda.