Hawassa

Hawassa known historically as Adare is a city in Ethiopia, on the shores of Lake Awassa in the Great Rift Valley. It is 273 km south of Addis Ababa via Bishoftu, 130 km east of Sodo, and 75 km north of Dilla. The town serves as the capital of the Sidama Region. It lies on the Trans-African Highway 4 Cairo-Cape Town and has a latitude and longitude of 7°3′N 38°28′E and an elevation of 1,708 meters above sea level. Its name comes from a Sidamic word meaning "wide body of water".

The city is home to Hawassa University a major university in the country, Awasa Adventist College, and a major market. The city is served by Awasa Airport, opened in 1988. Postal service is provided by the main branch; electricity and telephone service are also available. Important local attractions include the St. Gabriel Church and the Awassa Kenema Stadium. Fishing is a major local industry.