Alamata (Tigrinya: ኣላማጣ ) is a town in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Debubawi (Southern) zone of Tigray it has a latitude and longitude of and an elevation of above sea level and is located along Ethiopian Highway 2. It is surrounded by Alamata woreda.
History
19th century On 14 December 1895, Emperor Menilek's army passed through Alamata on their way northwards against to fight against the Italians."Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
20th century During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Red Cross had a camp at Alamata which treated 130 cases of mustard gas injuries. The town was captured by the 1st Eritrean Division led by General Gustavo Pesenti on 7 April 1936."Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
visited Alamata in late 1938, finding that the town was home to a large army base and a small Italian township. He also described the territory around Alamata as exceedingly dangerous due to the presence of guerrillas."Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
The Arbegnoch under British leadership, liberated the town from Italian control during the Second World War on 5 May 1941; it was at the southern edge of the Woyane rebellion of 1943."Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
The first reports of crop failure in Wollo, were made in October 1971 by the chief municipal officer of Alamata; this report was handled very indifferently by his superiors who did not respond until July 1972, when they asked for a revised report."Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
Alamata was garrisoned by the Derg during the Ethiopian Civil War. The Tigray People's Liberation Front captured the town in 1988.{"Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 6 September 2007)
Demographics
Based on the 2007 national census, Alamata has a total population of 33,214, of whom 16,140 are men and 17,074 women. 82.35% of the population said they were Orthodox Christians, and 16.96% were Muslim.Census 2007 Tables: Tigray Region , Tables 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4.
The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 26,179 of whom 12,094 were males and 14,085 were females.
Geography
Location
Alamata is located in the southern zone of Tigray. It is situated north of Addis Ababa and about south of the Tigray Regional capital city, Mekelle.
Topography
Topographically, Alamata is divided into western highland and eastern lowland. The western part (Tsetsera and Merewa) is categorized under the northern highlands of Ethiopia, having an altitude range of . It is characterized by steep slopes, gorges and undulating terrain having scattered flat lands used for grazing livestock and farming. It covers 25% of the woreda. The topography of the area dominated by steep slopes has induced erosion. The eastern lowland with its eight tabias is generally plain in topography with an altitude ranging from . The plain landscape of this area makes the area suitable for agriculture and it covers 75% of the woreda.
Alamata is located in the endoreic basin of the Afar Triangle. The streams near Alamata do not reach the ocean.
Climate
Economy
Agriculture A mixed farming system with the predominant of crop production is practiced in the district. The major food crops grown in the area are cereals (sorghum, teff, and maize), pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and root crops.TARI, 2004
Electricity A high voltage transmission line was constructed to transport electricity from Alamata to Legetafo in central Ethiopia.
Transportation The Weldiya–Mekelle Railway will have a station in Alamata.
Notes