Arba Minch

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Coordinates: 6°2′0″, 37°33′0″
Arba Minch
Kililoch	SNNPR
Population (2005)
- Urban	72,507

Arba Minch (Amharic, "forty springs") is a city in the of Ethiopia. Located in the Semien Omo Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region about 355 km south of Addis Ababa, this town has a longitude and latitude of 6°2′N 37°33′E. It is the only town in the Arba Minch Zuria woreda.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Arba Minch has an estimated total population of 72,507, of whom 36,296 were males and were 36,211 females.^[1] According to the 1994 census, it had a population of 40,020.

This city succeeded Chencha as the provincial capital of Gamu-Gofa, and held this honor until the demise of the province in 1995.

Arba Minch received its name for the abundant local springs which produce a groundwater forest. Located at the base of the western side of the Great Rift Valley, Arba Minch consists of the uptown administrative centre of Shecha and 4 km away the downtown commercial and residential areas of Sikela, which are connected by a paved road. On the eastern side of Sikela is the gate to Nechisar National Park, which covers the isthimus between Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the south. The area is also known for wildlife, including crocodiles and hippopotamuses.

Arba Minch is known for fruit, including mango, banana, orange, apple, guava and pineapple. It is also known for its fish farms. It is the home of Arba Minch University. The town also is served by an airport, (ICAO code HAAM, IATA AMH).

Arba Minch is host to the annual Festival of 1000 stars, a concert organized by the British charitable organization One Heart, dedicated to helping indigenous people support themselves through music.^[2] The next concert will be held in December, 2007.^[3]