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Coordinates: 8°59′40″N 40°10′00″E / 8.99444°N 40.16667°E / 8.99444; 40.16667
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{{Short description|Market town in Afar Region, Ethiopia}}
:''See [[wikt:awash]] for the meaning "in water with the top at water level".''
{{For|the river|Awash River}}[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Awash_town.jpg]
{{For|the river|Awash River}}
{{See Wiktionary|the town in Ethiopia|awash}}

'''[[c:File:Awash_town.jpg|Awaash Subac Kiiloh Magaalah Xiinisso]]'''{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Awash subah kilo
| official_name = Awash Subah Kilo
|native_name = Hawaash subac kiilo
| native_name = Hawaash Subac Kiilo
|image_skyline = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Awash_town.jpg
| image_skyline = Awash City Administration.jpg
| image_caption = Awash City Administration is fast growing City in Afar Region
Awash-town.jpg
| settlement_type = <nowiki>City</nowiki>
|imagesize =
| image_flag =
|image_caption = Awash town
| image_seal =
|image_flag =
| image_map =
|image_seal =
| map_caption =
|image_map =
| pushpin_map = Ethiopia#Horn of Africa#Africa
|map_caption =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia##Location within the Horn of Africa##Location within Africa
|pushpin_map = Ethiopia
| pushpin_relief =
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
| subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|pushpin_mapsize = 300
| subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ethiopia|Region]]
|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Ethiopia
| subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Ethiopia.svg|25px]] [[Ethiopia]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ethiopia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Afar Region]]
|subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Ethiopia.svg|25px]] [[Ethiopia]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Zones of Ethiopia|Zone]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Administrative Zone 3 (Afar)]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Afar Region]]
| established_title =
|subdivision_type2 = [[Zones of Ethiopia|Zone]]
| established_date =
|subdivision_name2 = [[Administrative Zone 3 (Afar)|Administrative Zone 3]]
| government_type = Town Administration
|established_title =
| leader_title = Mayor
|established_date =
| leader_name = Ibrahim Ali (Assigned Currently)
|government_type = Town Administration
| area_total_km2 =
|leader_title = Mayor
| area_land_km2 =
|leader_name = Ibrahim Ali (Assigned Currently)
| population_as_of = 2005
|area_magnitude =
| population_footnotes =
|area_total_sq_mi =
| population_total = 11,053 (est)
|area_total_km2 =
| population_urban =
|area_land_sq_mi =
| population_metro =
|area_land_km2 =
| population_density_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
| timezone =
|area_urban_km2 =
| utc_offset =
|area_metro_km2 =
| timezone_DST =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
| utc_offset_DST =
|population_as_of= 2005
| coordinates = {{coord|8|59|N|40|10|E|region:ET|display=inline}}
|population_footnotes =
| elevation_footnotes =
|population_total = 11,053 (est)
| elevation_m = 986
|population_urban =
| postal_code_type =
|population_metro =
| postal_code =
|population_density_sq_mi =
| area_code =
|population_density_km2 =
| blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
|timezone =
| blank_info = [[Semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|BSh]]
|utc_offset =
| website =
|timezone_DST =
| footnotes =
|utc_offset_DST =
| name = Awash Subah
|coordinates = {{coord|8|59|N|40|10|E|region:ET|display=inline}}
|elevation_footnotes=
|elevation_m = 986
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
|blank_info = [[Semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|BSh]]
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
}}
[[File:Awash-Route (5).jpg|thumb|right|Road traffic in Awash on Addis Ababa-Djibouti route]]
'''Awash Subah' Town Administration''' is a [[market town]] in central [[Ethiopia]]. Located in [[Administrative Zone 3 (Afar)|Administrative Zone 3]] of the [[Afar Region]], above a [[Canyon|gorge]] on the [[Awash River]], after which the town is named,<ref>Philip Briggs praises this gorge, noting "the drama of which is accentuated by a row of low volcanic hills above the opposite cliff. (''Ethiopia: the Bradt Travel Guide'', third edition [London: Bradt, 2002], p. 339)</ref> the town lies on the [[Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway]], which crosses the gorge by a bridge there. It is the largest settlement in [[Awash Fentale]] [[woreda]].


'''Awash Subah''' is a market town in central [[Ethiopia]]. Located in [[Administrative Zone 3 (Afar)|Administrative Zone 3]] of the [[Afar Region]], above a gorge on the [[Awash River]], after which the town is named,<ref>Philip Briggs praises this gorge, noting "the drama of which is accentuated by a row of low volcanic hills above the opposite cliff. (''Ethiopia: the Bradt Travel Guide'', third edition [London: Bradt, 2002], p. 339)</ref> the town lies on the [[Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway]], which crosses the gorge by a bridge there. It is the largest settlement in [[Awash Fentale]] [[woreda]].
Awash lies outside the [[Awash National Park]], which is known for its [[wildlife]], for the [[Mount Fentale]] [[caldera]] and for the [[Filwoha Hot Springs]]. Its market is held on Mondays, where Afar and Kereyu crafts can be found.<ref name=NAI-web>[http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/A/ORTAST.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"], The Nordic Africa Institute website. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080228080936/http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/A/ORTAST.pdf Archived] at the [[Wayback Machine]] on February 28, 2008.</ref>

Awash lies outside the [[Awash National Park]], which is known for its wildlife, for the [[Mount Fentale]] [[caldera]] and for the [[Filwoha Hot Springs]]. Its market is held on Mondays, where Afar and Kereyu crafts can be found.[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Awash_town.jpg]<ref name=NAI-web>[http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/A/ORTAST.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"], The Nordic Africa Institute website. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080228080936/http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/A/ORTAST.pdf Archived] at the [[Wayback Machine]] on February 28, 2008.</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
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===Rail disaster ===
===Rail disaster ===
{{Main|Awash rail disaster}}
{{Main|Awash rail disaster}}
On January 13, 1985 a train derailed at Awash on the [[Ethio-Djibouti Railways]] plunging four of its five carriages into a ravine; the crash was estimated to have killed at least 428 and injured 500 of the estimated 1,000 on board. It was the worst rail accident in African history. It is believed that the cause of the crash was the excessive speed of the train round a curve on a bridge across the ravine. The derailment happened at 13:40 between Arba and Awash.<ref name=NAI-web/>
On January 13, 1985, a train derailed at Awash on the [[Ethio-Djibouti Railways]] plunging four of its five carriages into a ravine; the crash was estimated to have killed at least 428 and injured 500 of the estimated 1,000 on board. It was the worst rail accident in African history. It is believed that the cause of the crash was the excessive speed of the train round a curve on a bridge across the ravine. The derailment happened at 13:40 between Arba and Awash.<ref name=NAI-web/>


== Demographics ==
== Demographics ==
Based on figures from the [[Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)|Central Statistical Agency]] in 2005, Awash has an estimated total population of 11,053, of whom 5,748 are men and 5,305 were women.<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123121716/http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm |date=November 23, 2006 }}, Table B.3, which calls the town '''Awash Sebat Kilo'''.</ref> According to the 1994 national census, the town had a population of 8,684.
Based on figures from the [[Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)|Central Statistical Agency]] in 2005, Awash has an estimated total population of 11,053, of whom 5,748 are men and 5,305 were women.<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123121716/http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm |date=November 23, 2006 }}, Table B.3, which calls the town '''Awash Sebat Kilo'''.</ref> According to the 1994 national census, the town had a population of 8,684.

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Awash, elevation {{convert|1052|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1971–2000)
|Jan high C = 30.8
|Feb high C = 31.7
|Mar high C = 33.5
|Apr high C = 34.1
|May high C = 36.0
|Jun high C = 36.5
|Jul high C = 33.4
|Aug high C = 32.2
|Sep high C = 33.5
|Oct high C = 33.6
|Nov high C = 31.8
|Dec high C = 30.6
| year high C =
|Jan low C = 14.8
|Feb low C = 16.3
|Mar low C = 18.1
|Apr low C = 19.3
|May low C = 20.3
|Jun low C = 21.5
|Jul low C = 19.6
|Aug low C = 19.1
|Sep low C = 19.9
|Oct low C = 18.9
|Nov low C = 15.3
|Dec low C = 14.2
| year low C =
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 21.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 52.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 59.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 70.0
|May precipitation mm = 57.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 31.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 118.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 135.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 63.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 22.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 15.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 11.0
|year precipitation mm =
| Jan humidity = 50
| Feb humidity = 48
| Mar humidity = 51
| Apr humidity = 52
| May humidity = 42
| Jun humidity = 44
| Jul humidity = 56
| Aug humidity = 61
| Sep humidity = 51
| Oct humidity = 41
| Nov humidity = 42
| Dec humidity = 43
| year humidity =
| source 1 = FAO<ref name=FAO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.fao.org/land-water/databases-and-software/climwat-for-cropwat/en/
| title = CLIMWAT climatic database
| publisher= Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations
| access-date = 22 June 2024}}</ref>
}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
{{portal|Africa}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


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[[Category:Populated places in the Afar Region]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Afar Region]]
[[Category:Awash River]]
[[Category:Awash River]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Ethiopia]]

Latest revision as of 17:47, 3 October 2024

Awash Subah
Hawaash Subac Kiilo
City
Awash Subah Kilo
Awash City Administration is fast growing City in Afar Region
Awash City Administration is fast growing City in Afar Region
Awash Subah is located in Ethiopia
Awash Subah
Awash Subah
Location within Ethiopia
Awash Subah is located in Horn of Africa
Awash Subah
Awash Subah
Location within the Horn of Africa
Awash Subah is located in Africa
Awash Subah
Awash Subah
Location within Africa
Coordinates: 8°59′N 40°10′E / 8.983°N 40.167°E / 8.983; 40.167
Country Ethiopia
RegionAfar Region
ZoneAdministrative Zone 3 (Afar)
Government
 • TypeTown Administration
 • MayorIbrahim Ali (Assigned Currently)
Elevation
986 m (3,235 ft)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total
11,053 (est)
ClimateBSh

Awash Subah is a market town in central Ethiopia. Located in Administrative Zone 3 of the Afar Region, above a gorge on the Awash River, after which the town is named,[1] the town lies on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, which crosses the gorge by a bridge there. It is the largest settlement in Awash Fentale woreda.

Awash lies outside the Awash National Park, which is known for its wildlife, for the Mount Fentale caldera and for the Filwoha Hot Springs. Its market is held on Mondays, where Afar and Kereyu crafts can be found.[1][2]

History

[edit]

An iron bridge over the Awash had been built at the present location of Awash by Emperor Menelik II's favorite, Alfred Ilg, around 1890; this bridge replaced an earlier wooden one. The construction had to face the great difficulty of transporting the girders from Djibouti, but once the material had arrived, the structure had been finished in ten days; however Emperor Menelik had used for other purposes the cement imported from Europe to build the bridge with. When Count Gleichen encountered the bridge in 1897, during his mission to Emperor Menelik, he found "the bridge would be too weak to stand anything but ordinary pack-animal traffic. For nine months in the year it is blocked at each end by a broad abattis of thorn-bush, - to prevent people from using it when the river is fordable, - but during the rains it is left open."[2]

Awash grew up around the railroad station, which was opened not long after 1917 when the railway had reached this far into Ethiopia. A hotel for passengers was built in Awash about that time.[3] The fourth post office in Ethiopia (after Harar, Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa) was established in Awash on 1 September 1923, but it may not have been much of a point of origin and arrival but rather a place on the line between the capital and the coast.[2]

During the Italian occupation, Awash still provided a post office, a telegraph station, the hotel, and restaurant. The town was occupied in April 1941 by the 22nd East African Brigade of the King's African Rifles, who had advanced for three days from Dire Dawa. Elements of this brigade afterwards continued their advance across the Awash at this point on 3 April 1941, although the road and rail bridge had been demolished by the retreating Italians. By 1953, the bridge had been rebuilt.[2]

One of the five camps to train conscripts of the People's Militia (reconstituted in the spring of 1977 as the "Red Army") was located at Awash.

Rail disaster

[edit]

On January 13, 1985, a train derailed at Awash on the Ethio-Djibouti Railways plunging four of its five carriages into a ravine; the crash was estimated to have killed at least 428 and injured 500 of the estimated 1,000 on board. It was the worst rail accident in African history. It is believed that the cause of the crash was the excessive speed of the train round a curve on a bridge across the ravine. The derailment happened at 13:40 between Arba and Awash.[2]

Demographics

[edit]

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Awash has an estimated total population of 11,053, of whom 5,748 are men and 5,305 were women.[4] According to the 1994 national census, the town had a population of 8,684.

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Awash, elevation 1,052 m (3,451 ft), (1971–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.8
(87.4)
31.7
(89.1)
33.5
(92.3)
34.1
(93.4)
36.0
(96.8)
36.5
(97.7)
33.4
(92.1)
32.2
(90.0)
33.5
(92.3)
33.6
(92.5)
31.8
(89.2)
30.6
(87.1)
33.1
(91.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.8
(58.6)
16.3
(61.3)
18.1
(64.6)
19.3
(66.7)
20.3
(68.5)
21.5
(70.7)
19.6
(67.3)
19.1
(66.4)
19.9
(67.8)
18.9
(66.0)
15.3
(59.5)
14.2
(57.6)
18.1
(64.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.0
(0.83)
52.0
(2.05)
59.0
(2.32)
70.0
(2.76)
57.0
(2.24)
31.0
(1.22)
118.0
(4.65)
135.0
(5.31)
63.0
(2.48)
22.0
(0.87)
15.0
(0.59)
11.0
(0.43)
654
(25.75)
Average relative humidity (%) 50 48 51 52 42 44 56 61 51 41 42 43 48
Source: FAO[5]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Philip Briggs praises this gorge, noting "the drama of which is accentuated by a row of low volcanic hills above the opposite cliff. (Ethiopia: the Bradt Travel Guide, third edition [London: Bradt, 2002], p. 339)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Local History in Ethiopia", The Nordic Africa Institute website. Archived at the Wayback Machine on February 28, 2008.
  3. ^ Richard Pankhurst, Economic History of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa: Haile Selassie I University, 1968), p. 334.
  4. ^ CSA 2005 National Statistics Archived November 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Table B.3, which calls the town Awash Sebat Kilo.
  5. ^ "CLIMWAT climatic database". Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
[edit]

Media related to Awash, Ethiopia at Wikimedia Commons

8°59′40″N 40°10′00″E / 8.99444°N 40.16667°E / 8.99444; 40.16667