1.1 Location

Metehara town is located in central part of Ethiopia in Oromia National Regional State, East Shewa zone, at a distance of 196 km from Addis Ababa and 96km from Adama. The town is bounded in the east by Awash Park; in the west by Beska Lake; in the north by Fentale Mountain; in the south by Methara Sugar Factory.

1.2 Foundation

The town was founded in 1927 and its name was called Gobu. The town got municipal status in 1970 and started to be administered as a town. Historical sources show that the name Metehara is believed to be obtained from two sources. The first naming came from Oromos living in other areas who passing through the town looked at the new hair style of the local Oromo youth and called it Meta Hara meaning new hair style in Oromiffa; the other one came from the location of the town nearby the lake and it is called Methara meaning mother of lake.

Metehara is one of the reform towns in the region and has a city administration incorporating 22 sector offices, municipality and 2 kebeles.