Nazret, town, central Ethiopia, 62 miles (100 km) southeast of Addis Ababa. It is a road junction and rail station on the main route between Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Beginning in the 1950s, economic development brought rapid population growth to Nazret. A giant sugar plantation and factory near the town increased employment, and another large farm raises civet cats for their civet, a secretion used in the manufacture of perfume. One of Ethiopia’s chief exporters of oil cakes, oilseeds, and pulses has its headquarters in Nazret. There are hot springs in the vicinity. Pop. (2007 prelim.) 222,035.