SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF WENCHI DISTRICT

Physical Characteristics:- Wenchi district is found at a distance of 249 km from Ambo town i.e., zonal capital. The district has an area of 474.6km2 and one urban center, i.e., Chitu town (district’s capital). Ambo, Dendi, Weliso and Goro, and Ameya districts are bordering Wenchi district (fig. 12). Topographically, it is characterized by diversified landforms, i.e., plateaus, mountains, hills, plains and valleys. Altitudinally, the district extends between 1800 and 3390 m.a.s.l. Arba Tensaye, Sankale and Haro are the major mountains found in Wenchi district. About 13 perennial rivers (Walga, Gunjo, Amagna, Ganato, etc), 20 major springs (Karote, Hojo, gufte, etc) and Wenchi lake (8.9km2) are found in the district. Climatically, the district is classfied into dega (44%) and woinadega (56) zones. Rendzinas, Haplic and luvic Phaeozems (60.3%), and Chromic and Pellic Vertisols (39.7%) are the major soil types found in Wenchi. High forest, woodland, shrub and bush, and man made forests are available in the district. There are also man made forests that are protected by the community/cooperatives. But there is no wildlife conservation are. However, baboon, vervet monkey, rhinoceros, warthog, colobus monkey and warthog are found in Wenchi district.