The lowest portions are dominated by Podocarpus falcatus and Juniperus procera, which are replaced with Rapanea and Dombeya as the elevation rises, and are in turn replaced by Erica arborea and Hypericum revolutum midway up through the forest, and eventually dominate by the highest portion.

Borena takes its name from the Tulama Oromo clans that conquered the region in the 16th century.

Prior to the Oromo migrations, this region was called Segla or Gasicha, as evidenced by historical texts and the monastery of Abba Giyorgis Ze-Gasicha in Kelala woreda.

The majority of the inhabitants said they practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 55.52% reporting that as their religion, while 44.38% of the population were Muslim.

The majority of the inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 57.79% having reported they practiced that belief, while 41.99% of the population said they were Muslim.