Boundary;- Has borders with Kenya to the south, the Republic of the Sudan to the South West, Gambella Regional State to the north west and with Oromia Regional State to the north east.

Altitude :- ranges from 375 meters (the lowest area in the region at lake Rudolf) to 4207 meters above sea level at mount Guge (the highest peak in the region) in Gamogaofa zone. 

Climate:- the Regional State has five climatic zones; namely arid desert, semi arid lowland, moderate (wonadega) temprate (dega) and frost (which) climatic zones. 

The amount, distribution, intensity and duration of rainfall increases from the south to the north east and north west. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 400-2200mm. temperature decreases from the south to the north-east. The mean annual temperature ranges from 15C to 30 C.
 

Infrastructure

The SNNPRS has several social and economic infrastructural institutions built by the government. So far, the region has established a university and a technological institute to train high level professionals in engineering, agriculture, education, health care, economic management and other areas of social sciences. Moreover, it has about 33 technical and vocational schools at zonal levels to produce moderate skilled personnel on areas of accounting secretarial science, Information Technology, Textile and garment Technology and automotive. 

In addition to educational facilitation, the regional government is exerting efforts in developing and full filling the public demands for potable water, whose coverage for urban centers has grown to about 75 percent. 

Further more, the region has also established an up-to-date air port at Arbaminch and two other air strips at Jinka and Aman (two zonal towns) to facilitate communication. 

At Arbaminch zonal capital several efforts are under way to facilitate job creation. In this regard, there are fruit and vegetable processing, crocodile skin and meat and ostrich based agro-industrial plants meant for export markets.

The SNNPRS has several social and economic infrastructural institutions built by the government. So far, the region has established a university and a technological institute to train high level professionals in engineering, agriculture, education, health care, economic management and other areas of social sciences. Moreover, it has about 33 technical and vocational schools at zonal levels to produce moderate skilled personnel on areas of accounting secretarial science, Information Technology, Textile and garment Technology and automotive. 

In addition to educational facilitation, the regional government is exerting efforts in developing and full filling the public demands for potable water, whose coverage for urban centers has grown to about 75 percent. 

Further more, the region has also established an up-to-date air port at Arbaminch and two other air strips at Jinka and Aman (two zonal towns) to facilitate communication. 

At Arbaminch zonal capital several efforts are under way to facilitate job creation. In this regard, there are fruit and vegetable processing, crocodile skin and meat and ostrich based agro-industrial plants meant for export markets.

Of the region’s total area 23.3 percent is intensively cultivated, 18.0% is covered with unevenly distributed forest, shrubs and bushes 21.1% pastoral land 13.3% arable (cultivable) and the rest 24.3% serves for some other purposes.  

The regional government has identified the extent of arable land in the region. Accordingly, of the total 427,697 hectares of land suitable for agricultural investment 85 percent has been found irrigable while the remaining 15% is being identified as rainfed. From the amount of land mentioned above, 1,775,756 hectares has access to road to enable investors easly engage themselves in investment A one stop-shop service delivery system has been already established. 

Agriculture the region has fertile soil to grow food crops such as cereals, legumes, beans, peas, lentils, soaybeans maize and sorghuym etc. It also grows oilseeds such as rape seeds, linseed, ground nuts, sunflower, flax and Niger seed. Cash crops such as coffee, cotton and spices, Coffee grows almost in all parts of the region. Horticulture is a potentially rich sector that can attract investment in to the region. The region’s horticultural harvests include, citrus, banana, mango, papaya, avocado, grapes, pineapple, jackfruit, macadamis nut, tomatoes, pepper, onion, Carrots, green beans and cut flowers the southern Region is also known for its enormous water resource It has several lakes and big rivers vital for the development of irrigation, hydro electric power generation, fishery and tourism in general. 

Each of the above mentioned products designate the potential for investment opportunities in the region.  

According to studies made, the region’s rivers and lakes have enormous fishing potential to establish fish processing industry. Keen investors intending to invest in the sector are likely to benefit the region, the public and themselves.

Industry

The region has naturally been cherished with comparative and competitive and avenges in certain manufacturing and agro –industrial raw materials which includes.

Coffee roasting and packing, spice extraction, Cotton ginnery and textile, Leather and leather goods production, Dairy pr0ocessing, edible Oil industries, Food Complex, Paper and pulp manufacturing, Honey extraction and Bees wax processing plants etc.

Mining

Minerals are among the most essential components of modern industries. From geological pint of view, the mineral deposit in the region can be divided in to three a ) Minerals of pre cambrain basement complex rock and their secondary deposit of precious metal and base metal b) minerals of sedimentary rock which include petroleum, iron, salt and limestone. c) Minerals of Volcanic and inter volcanic sedimentary rocks such as building materials, cola, sulfur and clay.

Tourism

The SNNPRS is so unique and tranquil in its natural settings. Its panoramic scenery, Pleasant climate, the diversity of its flora and fauna leave unforgettable memories in visitors’ souls. The friendliness and hospitality of the peoples the diverse harmony of the cultural heritage and the archeological site at the Omo valley all together make the region one of the leading tourist destinations in the county. The prevalence of sustainable peace in all corners of the country, has been one of the factors for the steady in flow of tourists. However, a lot has to be improved in areas of establishing and maintaining modern hotels, restaurants, lodges, road access to the national parks, tour operation and in social service delivery system.

The region is popularly known as a museum of tourist attractions of various types. Hot springs characterized by their healing power, well protected national parks sheltering a number of wild animals, various steles, the traditional cemeteries of the Konso people, ancient monasteries and caves are some often tourist attraction basses of the region.

To promote investment, the regional government has already prepared an industrial zone of approximately 970 hectares. About 370 hectares have already been developed with infrastructure accesses such as road, power, water and telephone services. 

SNNPRS offers investors with great opportunities especially in the fields of agriculture, agro-industry mineral and energy, hotel and tourism, construction, real estate, trade and social services.  

Besides the investment incentives offered by the federal government, the regional state also leased also leases rural land for forty years or over. Based on the type of the projects they early charge ranges from 3 to 177 birr per hectar. Over the last five years, the regional investment office licensed to 388 investment projects with a capital outlay of over 3.2 billion birr. These projects have the capacity to create 35,136 job opportunity.