This zone is bordered on the south by the West Arsi Zone, on the southwest by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west by Southwest Shewa Zone and Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, on the northwest by North Shewa, on the north by the Amhara Region, on the northeast by the Afar Region, and on the southeast by Arsi; its westernmost reach is defined by the course of the Bilate River. Towns and cities in East Shewa include Dukam, Galan, Tullu Dimt, Basaqa and Aqaqi, Bishoftu, Metehara, Batu Dambal and the capital Adama.
The boundaries of this region are as follows: south by West Arsi Zone, southwest by Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, west by Southwest Shewa Zone and Oromia Special Zone surrounding Finfinne, northwest by North Shewa, north by the Amhara Region, northeast by the Afar Region, southeast by Arsi; its westernmost boundary is marked by the Bilate River. Towns and cities in East Shewa include Dukam, Galan, Tullu Dimt, Basaqa, Aqaqi, Bishoftu, Metehara, Batu Dambal, and Adama.