Bekoji
Bekoji (Oromo: Boqojjii, Amharic: በቆጂ) is a town in central Ethiopia. Located in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia Region, it has a latitude and longitude of 7°35′N 39°10′E with an elevation of 2810 m. It is the administrative centre of Limuna Bilbilo woreda.
Bekoji
Boqojjii | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Bekoji Location of Bekoji in Ethiopia | |
| Coordinates: 07°35′N 39°20′E | |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| State | Oromia |
| Zone | Arsi |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 16,730 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| Climate | Cwb |
This town is located on the all-weather road to Goba built during the Italian occupation, 56 km south of Asella, and 50 km east of Lake Langano (the road from Assela through Goba and south to Dodola is now in 2013 tarmac all the way to Goba). A local landmark is the church of Liemu Maryam, east of Bekoji.
Bekoji is also known as the home town of many famous Ethiopian athletes. They include: Derartu Tulu, Fatuma Roba, Tiki Gelana, Mestawet Tufa, the Bekele brothers (Kenenisa and Tariku) and the Dibaba sisters Ejegayehu, Tirunesh and Genzebe. Young athletes in Bekoji are featured in the 2012 documentary film Town of Runners.