Physical Characteristics:- The district, having an area of 644.7 km2 and 4 urban centers, is located in the western extreme part of the zone. It is found at a distance of 125 km from Ambo town (Zonal Capital). The district shares common boundaries with East Wellega Zone and Cheliya district (fig. 12). Physiographically, it is characterized by dissected plateaus, mountains, hills, valleys and undulating plains. Altitudinally, it lies between 1600 and 2870 m.a.s.l. Adulan, Arti, Wadesa kagne and Alamote are the major mountains found in the district. Similarly, gibe, Robi, Abuko, Mara and other 7 Major rivers as well as several seasonal streams are flowing through the district. Climatically, the district is classified into dega (12%) and woinadega (88%) zones. Rendzinas, Haplic and Luvic phaeozems (4.0%), chromic and Orthic Luvisols (14.9%), Dystric Nitosols (60.2%), and Chromic and Pellic Vertisols (20.9%) are the major soil types found in the district. High forest, woodland, riverien, shrub and bush, savanna and man made forests are available in Bako Tibe. Government and community owned forests are also available. In the absence of game reserves, vervet monkey, baboon, warthog, hippopotamus, leopard, duiker, colobus monkey, bush buck, spotted hyena and civet cat are found dispersedly in the district.