Ambo

Ambo is the capital of the West Shewa Zone in Ethiopia's Oromia Region, west of Addis Ababa, at an elevation of about 2,100 m. It is best known nationally as the source of Ambo Mineral Water, a naturally carbonated spring water bottled since 1930 at nearby Ambo Senkele — regarded as Ethiopia's oldest mineral-water brand and once favored by Emperor Haile Selassie, who believed in its curative properties; some locals still describe it as "holy water." The brand has passed through several owners (SABMiller from 2009, then Coca-Cola Beverages Africa from 2017), with a modernized bottling plant near the town. Ambo also serves as a market and administrative center for the surrounding agricultural communities of West Shewa.

By road, west of Addis Ababa in the West Shewa Zone.

Walkable town center.

• Ambo Senkele mineral springs: the volcanic-fissure source of Ambo Mineral Water, naturally carbonated and rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and bicarbonates.

Ambo Mineral Water, the town's namesake product, widely available locally.

Ambo Mineral Water and local produce from the surrounding West Shewa farming region.

• Addis Ababa — the national capital, to the east.