Quick answerAdama is a city in Ethiopia, with 456,868 people inside the city limits in 2022. It is best known for the Sodere hot springs, the Rift Valley gateway and the Trade hub on the Addis–Djibouti road. Its official languages include Afar, Amharic and 3 others, and its currency is the Ethiopian birr.
Adama is Ethiopia's fourth-largest city, with about 457,000 people in 2022. It stands south-east of Addis Ababa on the edge of the Great Rift Valley and is a trading hub on the road and railway to Djibouti.
Key facts
| Country | Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 456,868 (2022) |
| Elevation | 1712 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Africa/Addis_Ababa |
| Language | Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya |
| Currency | Ethiopian birr (ETB, Br) |
| Coordinates | 8.541° N, 39.269° E |
Overview
Adama, also known as Nazret, is Ethiopia's fourth-largest city, in the Oromia region south-east of the capital. It had 456,868 people in 2022, with 584,854 in the urban area, and stands at 1,712 metres above sea level on the edge of the Great Rift Valley.
Adama grew as a trading town on the road and railway from Addis Ababa to the port of Djibouti, and it is still one of Ethiopia's busiest commercial centres. The city is the gateway to the Rift Valley lakes, including Lake Beseka nearby and the Koka Reservoir to the south.
The hot springs of Sodere, about 25 kilometres to the south-east on the Awash River, are Adama's best-known attraction, drawing visitors for their warm mineral waters. Today Adama is one of Ethiopia's fastest-growing cities, with new housing, industry and transport links spreading across the Rift Valley floor.
What Adama is known for
- Sodere hot springs
- Rift Valley gateway
- Trade hub on the Addis–Djibouti road
- Lake Beseka
Landmarks
- Sodere Hot Springs
- Lake Beseka
- Koka Reservoir
- Adama Stadium
- Rift Valley viewpoint
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Adama?
About 457,000 people live in Adama (456,868 in 2022), with about 585,000 in the urban area. That makes Adama Ethiopia's fourth-largest city, after Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Mekelle, and the largest city of the Oromia region, south-east of the capital.
What is Adama famous for?
Adama is famous as a trading and transport hub on the road and railway from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, and as the gateway to the Rift Valley lakes. It is also known for the hot springs of Sodere, about 25 kilometres to the south-east, on the Awash River.
Where is Adama located?
Adama is in central Ethiopia, in the Oromia region, about 100 kilometres south-east of Addis Ababa on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, on the road to Djibouti. It stands at 1,712 metres above sea level. Its coordinates are 8.54° N, 39.27° E.
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Keep exploring
- Ethiopia — the country Adama is in
- Addis Ababa — another city in Ethiopia
- Dire Dawa — another city in Ethiopia
- Mekelle — another city in Ethiopia
- All cities in Ethiopia
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.