Banikoara | |
|---|---|
)  Banikoara Location in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 11°18′N 2°26′E / 11.300°N 2.433°E | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Alibori Department |
| Area | |
| • Commune, arrondissement and city | 4,383 km2 (1,692 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Commune, arrondissement and city | 248,621 |
| • Density | 57/km2 (150/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 28,402 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Postal address | BP: 01 |
| Area code(s) | (+223) 29 |
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 is a Europeanized version of a Bariba phrase meaning "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
- ^ a b c d "Banikoara". Atlas Monographique des Communes du Benin. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ^ "Point des Realisations par Village" (PDF). Direction Générale de l'Eau du Benin. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- ^ "Communes of Benin". Statoids. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
- ^ "Banikoara". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Benin-Banikoara". UNESCO. Retrieved January 8, 2010.