List of Ethiopia Regional and Capitals - Largest and Smallest by Area & Population

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Ethiopia is divided into nine regional states and two chartered cities. Here are the Regional of Ethiopia:

Ethiopia is a large country in the Horn of Africa bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan. The country is divided into 12 regional states and 2 chartered cities, and those divisions are further organized into zones, woredas, and local administrations. Addis Ababa is the national capital and also the largest city in Ethiopia.

The country includes high mountain plateaus, deep valleys, dry lowlands, lakes, forests, and wide agricultural areas across different regions. Ethiopia is one of Africa’s oldest civilizations, and its regional diversity is reflected in language, culture, food, climate, and local traditions across the country.

Key Facts

National capital: Addis Ababa
Total population: 132,059,767 (Official estimate 2024)
Total area: 1,104,300 km² (426,372 sq miles)
Currency: Ethiopian Birr (Br, ETB)
Bordering countries: Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan
Total Regions and Chartered Cities: 14
Total Zones and Woredas: 800+

List of Regions and Capitals of Ethiopia

Total administrative divisions shown: 14 | Combined population: 132,059,767 | Combined area: 1,104,300 km²

#	Region Name	Capital City	Region	Area (km²)	Population (Latest Census)
1	Addis Ababa	Addis Ababa	Central Ethiopia	527	5,700,000
2	Afar	Semera	Northeast Lowlands	96,707	2,100,000
3	Amhara	Bahir Dar	Northwest Highlands	154,709	32,100,000
4	Benishangul-Gumuz	Assosa	Western Ethiopia	50,699	1,450,000
5	Central Ethiopia	Hosaena	Central Highlands	43,000	10,500,000
6	Dire Dawa	Dire Dawa	Eastern Ethiopia	1,213	600,000
7	Gambela	Gambela	Southwestern Lowlands	29,783	550,000
8	Harari	Harar	Eastern Highlands	334	320,000
9	Oromia	Addis Ababa	Central and Southern Ethiopia	353,690	41,700,000
10	Sidama	Hawassa	Southern Highlands	12,000	5,000,000
11	Somali	Jijiga	Eastern Lowlands	279,252	9,500,000
12	South Ethiopia	Wolaita Sodo	Southern Ethiopia	31,000	8,200,000
13	South West Ethiopia Peoples'	Bonga	Southwestern Highlands	39,400	3,339,767
14	Tigray	Mekelle	Northern Highlands	84,722	11,000,000

Largest Regions by Area

Oromia - 136,560 sq mi (353,690 km²)
Somali - 107,820 sq mi (279,252 km²)
Amhara - 59,733 sq mi (154,709 km²)
Afar - 37,339 sq mi (96,707 km²)
Tigray - 32,711 sq mi (84,722 km²)
Benishangul-Gumuz - 19,575 sq mi (50,699 km²)
Central Ethiopia - 16,602 sq mi (43,000 km²)
South West Ethiopia Peoples' - 15,212 sq mi (39,400 km²)

Most Populous Regions

Oromia - Population: 41,700,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Amhara - Population: 32,100,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Tigray - Population: 11,000,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Central Ethiopia - Population: 10,500,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Somali - Population: 9,500,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
South Ethiopia - Population: 8,200,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Addis Ababa - Population: 5,700,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Sidama - Population: 5,000,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Regions by Area

Harari - 129 sq mi (334 km²)
Addis Ababa - 203 sq mi (527 km²)
Dire Dawa - 468 sq mi (1,213 km²)
Sidama - 4,633 sq mi (12,000 km²)
Gambela - 11,499 sq mi (29,783 km²)
South Ethiopia - 11,969 sq mi (31,000 km²)

Regions by Regional Grouping

Central Ethiopia: Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia, Oromia
Northern Highlands: Amhara, Tigray
Northeast Lowlands: Afar
Eastern Highlands: Harari
Eastern Ethiopia: Dire Dawa
Eastern Lowlands: Somali
Western Ethiopia: Benishangul-Gumuz
Southwestern Lowlands: Gambela
Southern Highlands: Sidama
Southern Ethiopia: South Ethiopia
Southwestern Highlands: South West Ethiopia Peoples'

Landlocked Regions

All regions and chartered cities of Ethiopia are landlocked.

Regions with Coastline

None - Ethiopia has no coastline.

Regions Sharing Borders with Other Countries

Eritrea: Afar, Tigray
Djibouti: Afar, Somali
Somalia: Oromia, Somali
Kenya: Oromia, Somali, South Ethiopia
South Sudan: Gambela, Oromia
Sudan: Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz

Sources

World Countries and Capitals

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Ethiopia Regional and Capitals List