# Jijiga

> city

**Wikidata**: [Q755763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q755763)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jijiga)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jijiga

## Summary

Jijiga is a city in eastern Ethiopia and the capital of both the Somali Region and Fafan Zone. Located at coordinates 9.35°N, 42.8°E at an elevation of approximately 1,609 metres above sea level, Jijiga serves as a major urban centre in Ethiopia's Somali-speaking region. The city covers an area of 223 square kilometres and had a population of 159,300 as of 2015, with a census figure of 125,876 recorded in 2007.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Jijiga is situated in Fafan Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia
- **Coordinates**: 9.35°N latitude, 42.8°E longitude
- **Elevation**: 1,609 metres above sea level (also cited as 1,646 metres circa)
- **Area**: 223 square kilometres (2021)
- **Population**: 159,300 (2015); 125,876 (2007 census, preferred figure)
- **Capital of**: Somali Region and Fafan Zone
- **UN/LOCODE**: ETJIJ
- **VIAF ID**: 158346310
- **Geonames ID**: 333795
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 298290931
- **OpenWeatherMap City ID**: 333795
- **Classification**: City, big city, district of Ethiopia (classification updated in 2020)
- **Aliases**: Jijiga, Djidjiga, Dschidschiga, Jigjiga
- **Wikipedia available in**: 47 language versions including English, Amharic, Arabic, French, German, Chinese, and others
- **Commons category**: Jijiga
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n85243221
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -614323

## FAQs

**What region is Jijiga the capital of?**
Jijiga is the capital of both the Somali Region (a regional state of Ethiopia) and Fafan Zone (a zone within the Somali Region).

**What is the population of Jijiga?**
Jijiga had a population of 159,300 according to 2015 data, with the preferred 2007 census figure recording 125,876 residents.

**What is the elevation of Jijiga?**
Jijiga sits at approximately 1,609 metres above sea level, with another source citing 1,646 metres (circa).

**What is Jijiga's UN/LOCODE?**
The UN/LOCODE for Jijiga is ETJIJ, used for shipping and trade documentation.

**What political parties are associated with Jijiga?**
The Somali People's Democratic Party (founded 1998) and the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (founded 1998) both have headquarters in Jijiga.

**What identification numbers are associated with Jijiga?**
Jijiga is identified by VIAF 158346310, Geonames ID 333795, OpenStreetMap node ID 298290931, OpenWeatherMap city ID 333795, Yale LUX ID place/179a7bf1-055f-4600-8e06-da56628941da, and Library of Congress Authority ID n85243221.

## Why It Matters

Jijiga matters as the administrative and political heart of Ethiopia's Somali Region, serving as the regional capital for one of Ethiopia's nine regional states. The city functions as a crucial hub in eastern Ethiopia, representing the governmental centre for a region that borders Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya. Its elevation of over 1,600 metres makes it a notable highland city in the typically lowland Somali Region, positioning it as a strategic location for regional administration, commerce, and transportation networks.

The city's significance is amplified by its role as the capital of Fafan Zone, one of the administrative zones within the Somali Region. Jijiga's position in Ethiopia's federal structure gives it outsized importance in regional politics, particularly given the historical and contemporary dynamics between the Ethiopian federal government and the Somali Region. The presence of multiple political parties' headquarters, including the Somali People's Democratic Party and Ethiopian Social Democratic Party, underscores Jijiga's role as a centre of political activity and governance.

From an economic and infrastructure perspective, Jijiga's location along trade routes, its classification as a district of Ethiopia (updated in 2020), and its growing population all contribute to its regional importance. The city's UN/LOCODE designation reflects its potential role in international trade and logistics for the region.

## Notable For

- Capital of both Somali Region and Fafan Zone (dual capital status)
- Highest-elevation major city in the Somali Region at approximately 1,609-1,646 metres
- Administrative centre for one of Ethiopia's nine regional states
- Located at a strategic crossroads near the borders of Djibouti and Somalia
- UN/LOCODE designation (ETJIJ) indicating its role in international trade logistics
- Wikipedia availability in 47 language versions
- Classification as both a city and big city in Ethiopian administrative terminology
- District of Ethiopia classification updated as recently as 2020

## Body

### Geography and Location

Jijiga is positioned in eastern Ethiopia at coordinates 9.35°N latitude and 42.8°E longitude. The city sits at a notable elevation of 1,609 metres above sea level (with another source citing approximately 1,646 metres), making it a highland centre within what is predominantly a lowland region. The urban area covers 223 square kilometres according to 2021 data. This elevation distinguishes Jijiga from many other population centres in the Somali Region, which typically sit at lower altitudes.

### Administrative Status

Jijiga holds significant administrative importance as the capital of both the Somali Region (one of Ethiopia's eleven regional states) and Fafan Zone (a zone within the Somali Region). This dual capital status makes it the primary political and administrative hub for the eastern Ethiopian region. The city is classified as a city, a big city, and as a district of Ethiopia—a classification that was updated in 2020 to reflect its administrative evolution within the Ethiopian federal system.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Jijiga has been recorded at 125,876 residents according to the 2007 national census, which remains the preferred demographic figure. More recent estimates from 2015 placed the population at 159,300 residents, indicating significant growth during the inter-censal period. The city's growing population reflects its increasing importance as an administrative and economic centre in eastern Ethiopia.

### Political Context

The city serves as headquarters for several political parties, notably the Somali People's Democratic Party (founded in 1998) and the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (also founded in 1998). Both parties maintain their headquarters in Jijiga, reflecting the city's role as a centre of political activity and governance in the Somali Region. The presence of these political organisations underscores Jijiga's significance in the region's political landscape.

### International Identification and Codes

Jijiga is identified by numerous international identification systems, facilitating its integration into global databases and logistics networks. The city carries the UN/LOCODE ETJIJ, which is used in international shipping and trade documentation. Its VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) identifier is 158346310, while its Geonames ID is 333795. Additional identifiers include OpenStreetMap node ID 298290931, OpenWeatherMap city ID 333795, Yale LUX ID place/179a7bf1-055f-4600-8e06-da56628941da, Freebase ID /m/05g9j5, GNS Unique Feature ID -614323, and Library of Congress Authority ID n85243221.

### Cultural and Digital Presence

Jijiga has substantial digital and cultural presence, with Wikipedia articles available in 47 language versions including English, Amharic, Arabic, French, German, Chinese, and numerous others. The city has a dedicated Commons category on Wikimedia Commons and maintains a presence on Facebook (location ID 103109209728811). An image of the city is available on Wikimedia Commons at the file path Jijiga.jpg, and a page banner is available at Wv_Somali_banner.jpg. The city also has a Quora topic dedicated to it.

### Historical Context

The city has been known by multiple names throughout its history, including Jijiga, Djidjiga, Dschidschiga, and Jigjiga. This variation reflects its position at the crossroads of different linguistic and cultural influences in the Horn of Africa. The city's historical significance as an administrative centre has continued into the contemporary period, particularly as the capital of the Somali Region since the establishment of the regional system in Ethiopia.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.citypopulation.de/Ethiopia.html)
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/et.htm)
6. [Source](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/3d9b037f-5112-4afd-92a7-190a9082bd80/resource/b0fb1270-4eff-4b92-a619-ab7fc2cd97aa)
7. Quora