Banikoara | |
---|---|
Country | ![]() |
Department | Alibori Department |
Area | |
• Commune, arrondissement and city | 4,383 km2 (1,692 sq mi) |
Population (2002) | |
• Commune, arrondissement and city | 152,028 |
• Density | 35/km2 (90/sq mi) |
• Metro | 24,917 |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Banikoara is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Alibori Department of Benin. It lies 69 kilometers west of Kandi at the heart of the most productive cotton-growing region in Benin. Its name means "Bani's town," and honors its founder, Bani Gansé.
Administrative divisions
Banikoara is subdivided into 10 arrondissements; Banikoara, Founougo, Gomparou, Goumori, Kokey, Kokiborou, Ounet, Sompérékou, Soroko and Toura. They contain 53 villages and 11 urban districts.[1]
The arrondissement of Banikoara contains the villages of Arbonga, Demanou, Derou Garou, Kokire, Kommon, Kori Ginguiri, Tokey Banta, Wagou, Weterou and Yadikparou.[2]
Demographics
The commune covers an area of 4383 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 152,028 people.[1][3] In 2008 there was an estimated 24,917 living in the main town.[4]
Economy
Most of the population are engaged in agricultural activities followed by trade and handicrafts. 51 024,00 hectares of land are devoted to agriculture, accounting for 7.32 % of the total land area.[1] The main crops grown are maize, cotton, sorghum and cowpeas.[1]
Electricity used in Banikora often has to be produced by a generator due to a defective solar system and unreliable mains electricity.[5] The telephone lines are in poor condition, which makes it difficult to maintain a regular and reliable connection for Internet access.[5] Banikoara is 60 kilometres from the nearest hard road and its development is hampered by its isolation until infrastructure develops.[5]
Media
UNESCO has donated four computers and other equipment and provided an initial two-week training and been responsible for the establishment of a radio station in Banikoara in 1994.[5] They had provided education to local people in basic IT and Internet skills since February 2002, text processing, photocopying, scanning, printing and photography.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Banikoara". Atlas Monographique des Communes du Benin. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ↑ "Point des Realisations par Village" (PDF). Direction Générale de l'Eau du Benin. Retrieved January 16, 2010.[dead link]
- ↑ "Communes of Benin". Statoids. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ↑ "Banikoara". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Benin-Banikoara". UNESCO. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
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- Arrondissements of Benin
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