West Welega Zone

Map of the regions and zones of Ethiopia

West Welega Zone (Oromo: Wallagga Lixaa) is a zone in the western part of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. This zone is named after the former province of Welega, whose western part lay in the area West Welega now occupies.

West Wellega is bordered on the west by Kelam Welega Zone, on the north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the east for a short space by East Welega, and on the southeast by Illubabor. Its highest point is Mount Welel. Towns and cities in West Welega include Dembidolo, Gimbi, Mendi, and Nejo.

The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 40,606 tons of coffee were produced in West and East Welega combined in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 35.3% of the Region's output and 17.9% of Ethiopia's total output.[1]