The Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Regional stat (SNNPR) is located in the Southern and south-western part of Ethiopia. Astronomically, it is roughly lies between 4 o43" - 8 o58" north, latitude and 34 o88"- 39 o14" east, longitude. It is bordered with Kenya in south, the South Sudan in southwest, Gambella region in north west and surrounded by Oromiya region in north west, north and east directions.

The total area of the region is estimated to be 104391.9 km². Based on ethnic and linguistic identities, it is divided into 14 zones, 4 special woredas,22 town administrations and 131 woredas.

The region is a multi-nation which consists of about 55 nations and nationalities with their own distinct geographical location, language, culture and social identities living together. These varied ethnic groups are classified into Omotic, Cushetic, Nilo-Sahara and Semitic super language families. Among them Omotic and Cushetic are the most populous and diversified ones with the largest area coverage in the region respectively. According to the 2009 E.C the regional total number of population is projected to be 16,237,365. The average population density of the region is 164 persons per sq.km, which makes the region one of the most populous parts of the country.

The amount, duration and intensity of rainfall in the region vary considerably. It generally decreases from west and northwest to south-eastwards. The main dry season is shorter in southern Ethiopia conversely the main rainy season is larger in west and south west. For the past three decades rainfall data has shown that the mean annual rainfall of the region was ranging from the lowest about 400 mm in the extreme south of Debub Omo zone to over 2200 mm in the west in Sheka and Kaffa zones. According to Southern Region Meteorological Agency total rainfall data, the lowest is experienced in Konso and in parts of Debub Omo Zone such as Weyito and Dimeka. On the other hand, the highest amount (1700-2200mm) is recorded in Bonga area of Kaffa zone and Yirgachefe and Bule Wereda in Gedeo zone . Generally, in the western part of the region, the rain occurs most of the year round while it is bimodal in the eastern and southern part of the region. Relying on the reliability of rainfall for crop production and duration of growing periods, the three seasonal patterns of rainfall in the region experienced are Bega ( Dec,Jan & Feb.) provide rain for limited part of the region, Belg (March and April) considered as little rainy season where the amount of rainfall received is relatively lower than the Keremt rainfall that occures in June,July and Augest However, in each of the seasons, the rain may begin earlier/later and may last before the usual time. This has impact on growing period and reliability of rainfall.

Temperature is the quantity that tells us how hot or cold something is relative to some set standard values. The degree and intensity of temperature determines the rate of evapo-transpiration, soil moisture content and the humidity of the atmosphere. The mean annual minimum temperature of the region in 2012/2013 varies from 10.0 -16.7 o C in the lowland/parts of kola area Sheka-Tepi, Konso, Amaro ,South omo and the extreme highlands /parts of Silte, Keffa, Hadiya Gurage and Gedeo/.

However, temperatures are generally high in the region with little variations among seasons. The Meteorological data of year 2011/2012 indicate that the mean annual maximum temperature of the region ranges from 25.2.-30.3oc in the lowland part of Debub omo,Sheka, Gamogofa ,Dawuro,Wolayita,Gurage zone.

The region has very diverse agro ecological zones ranging from hot arid and semi-arid climate (Kolla & kefil-Bereha type) in the southern most parts such as in the flat plain of Debub Omo Zone to a tropical humid (Dega and Kefil-wurch) type in the high lands of the North and Northwest. Intermediate between these extremes the climate is defined to be Tropical sub-humid type (Woina Dega type) 34% of the region that is moderately suitable for settlement and crop production.
Most part of the region, about 57.4% lies under kolla and kefil bereha type of agro-ecology while dega and wurch conditions constitute 8.6% of the region. The varied agro climatic conditions made the region to be endowed with the production of different commercial and food crops.

The region is a land of outstanding natural beauty with high mountains, steep valleys and rolling plains. The most remarkable land feature of the region is the Great Rift Valley that runs along the eastern edge of the region and the Omo valley which is the major feature of the region that roughly cuts in to two halves. Along the Omo river valley, a series of highlands complexes are found such as Keffa high lands, Konta highlands, Gofa highlands etc... are the prominent examples
The altitudinal variation of the region extends from the lowest point at-lake Roudolf (Turkana) 376m above sea level to mount Guge of Gamo highlands which is 4200m above sea level.

Telephone service is one of the most communication tool for social, economic, educational, business and investment activities. The quantity and quality of telephone service in the region increase from year to year. Regarding fixed line, in the year 2005 E.C. at Zonal , Sp. Woredas and Woredas have got telephone service .The number of exchange capacity reached 416,013 , the total connected lines to exchange apparatus was 185,061, Free Exchange122101, Voice Subscribers Number 209,399 and Exchange Role 160.

Electricity is one of the modern sources of energy used as a source of Power in industries. For residents it is used as a fuel replacing wood and cow dung.
The regional distribution of electric service expanded through both /ICS/ inter- connected system and SCS sub connected system. Electrification in SNNPR started back in1951 E.C. and in 2004 E.C. 753 towns and Villages canters have got electric service through the system (of which only 5 centres with SBC) which are Supplied by Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation

The sources of domestic water in the region, whether trapped by pipeline or hand pumps from surface are the rivers, the lakes and groundwater from spring, boreholes, shallow & dug wells. Although not yet fulfilled compared to the demand, a number of springs, hand dug wells, shallow well, deep wells, and spot spring are in use for domestic water supply.

According to Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Water and Energy 2004 E.C. data , of the total water supply schemes, with the exception of spot springs, 41.7% are non functional and the remaining 59% are functional.

In 2004E.C. the average Regional Water Supply access in urban areas reached 75% and for rural areas 49.12% while for both Rural + Urban areas it is recorded 50.72%. Regarding Zonal water supply access, Sheka, Bench Maji, Debub omo and Segen Zones relatively achieved the highest water supply accesses with 93%,71.5%,69.78% and 67% respectively.

Although the establishment of fast electronic communication systems through internet and telephone are overwhelming; currently there are about 212 towns having different level postal services. When one can see the overall service, 2 district post offices are found in Hawassa and Arbaminch city,while 7 permanent, 81 post offices and 128 agents are found distributed in all zones and special woredas of the region

The principal forms of transport within the region comprise road vehicles, pack animals and pedestrian traffic. Besides, there is very limited air service and the very confined water transport in the lower course of Omo River.

Land transport particularly, road basically plays vital role in making easy communications, transporting freights and passengers. But, though efforts have been made in the course of time to improve transportation accessibility of the Region, road transports within the region are still poorly developed and under maintained resulting in considerable isolation of large areas especially towards the south and west of the Basin. But to improve these problems, a number of roads are under construction.

At the end of 2005E.C. the region built total road length of 13‚705.35km. Out of which ,1066 km is asphalt and the remaining 7572.5 km is gravel and 5066.8 km is dry weather road excluding of Earth track roads.

There are an international air ports in the region ,which are found in Hawassa town, Arbaminch town ( Gamo Gofa zone) and Jinka town (Deboube omo zone) which is under construction.