Shoa

Shoa, a country of Africa, lying to the south of Abyssinia proper, and watered by the Blue Nile and the Hawash, but usually accounted one of the three divisions of the Abyssinian state. Area, approximately 26,000 sq. m. In physical characteristics it closely resembles the rest of Abyssinia (q.v.). The highest point in the Guraghe Mountains reaches 12,790 feet. The people, who are partly Abyssinians and partly Gallas, number about 1½ million. The present capital is Lichel (pop. 3000); but the most important place is the former capital, Ankohar (q.v.). This country was conquered by King Theodore of Abyssinia shortly after his accession (1855). On the death of Theodore's successor (John II.) in 1889 the king of Shoa, Menelek, was made king of all Abyssinia; and Shoa, like the rest of Abyssinia, is now in many particulars an Italian protectorate.