Holeta | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Holeta Location within Ethiopia Show map of Ethiopia Holeta Holeta (Africa) Show map of Africa | |
| Coordinates:9°3′N38°30′E / 9.050°N 38.500°E /9.050; 38.500 | |
| Country |  Ethiopia |
| Region |  Oromia |
| Zone | North Shewa |
| Woreda | Walmara |
| Elevation | 2,391 m (7,844 ft) |
| Population (2007) | |
• Total | 25,593 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Holeta (Oromo:Holataa) is a town in thespecial zone ofOromia Region,Ethiopia. It has a latitude and longitude of9°3′N38°30′E / 9.050°N 38.500°E /9.050; 38.500 and an altitude of 2391 meters above sea level.
Holeta came into existence with the construction of the Addis Ababa -Addis Alem road, and houses in the latter town were dismantled and brought to this new settlement. It became the new "country retreat" for EmperorMenelik II and EmpressTaytu Betul[1] According toRichard Pankhurst, when the couple were in residence, its population would mushroom from about 2,400 to as many as 15,000.[2] It was the first place in Ethiopia to have a permanent water mill, built in 1909 on the Holetta River.[3]
Holeta is best known as the location of the Holeta Military Academy. Opened in January 1935, and staffed by five Swedish officers, the first class of 120 cadets did not complete their studies due to theSecond Italo-Ethiopian War.[4] It was reopened once EmperorHaile Selassie returned to Ethiopia, and celebrated its 25th anniversary 20–30 April 1960.[3] After the murder ofHadush Araya on 14 February 1996, the academy was renamed for him. Hadush Araya was one of the military leaders of theTigray People's Liberation Front.[5]
Like much of Ethiopia, the economy is mainly based on agriculture but industry is growing. Habesha Cement has announced that it is constructing a new cement plant within the city limits of Holeta.[6] The town hosts a research station of theEthiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. Founded in 1963, this station is the national center for research to improve the yield ofbarley, highland oil crops,potatoes, anddairy products.[7]
The 2007 national census reported Holeta's population as 25,593, of whom 12,605 were men and 12,988 women. The majority of the inhabitants said they practisedEthiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 73% of the population reporting they observed this belief, while 20.44% of the population wereProtestant, and 5.43% wereMuslim.[8]
According to the 1994 national census, the town's population was 16,785, of whom 8,040 were males and 8,745 females. It is the largest of three towns in theWalmaraAanaa.