Agadez Region

Agadez Region
—  Region  —
Location within Niger
Coordinates:
Country	Niger
Capital	Agadez
Area
• Total	634,209 km2 (244,869.5 sq mi)
Population (2001 census)
• Total	321,639
• Density	0.5/km2 (1.3/sq mi)
Time zone	West Africa Time (UTC+1)

Agadez is an administrative Region in Niger. Agadez covers 634,209 square kilometres (244,869 sq mi). The capital of the department is Agadez.

Contents 1 Description and people 2 Economy 3 Subdivisions 4 Borders 5 See also 6 External links

Description and people

The Agadez Region represents 52% of the total area of Niger, the largest of its seven regions. Despite its size, Agadez is sparsely populated; its 321,639 inhabitants account for only 2.9% of the total population of Niger with a population density of 0.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.19 /km²). The region includes the vast Ténéré portion of the Sahara desert, dune seas like the Erg of Bilma, and the mountains of the Aïr. Much of its population comprises nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples including the Tuareg, Toubou, Wadoobe Fula. There are populations of settled Kanuri (in the east), Hausa, and Songhay in the towns and oasies.

Economy

Traversed for centuries by the Trans Saharan trade, the oasis towns of the Aïr and the eastern Kaouar Cliffs are known for their gardens, salt manufacture, and date cultivation. In the late 1990s, tourism became a large industry here, and the uranium town of Arlit provides some 20% of the foreign exchange for the country. Tuareg insurgencies against the Niger government in the 1990s and mid 2000s and drought in the 1970s, 80s, and 2002 have led to humanitarian crises and damaged the region's economy.

Subdivisions

Agadez is divided into three Departments and one Commune.

Administrative Subdivisions

Commune	Size	Population
Agadez	.......	78 289 inhabitants
Department	Size	Population	Chief Town	Cantons
Arlit	216 774 km²	98 170 inhabitants	Arlit
Bilma	296 279 km²	17 080 inhabitants	Bilma	Bilma, Djado, Fachi, Kawar
Tchirozérine	154 746 km²	118 068 inhabitants	Tchirozérine

Borders

Agadez has the following foreign borders, including Niger's only borders with Libya and Algeria:

• Kidal Region, Mali - west
• Tamanghasset Wilayah, Algeria - northwest
• Ghat Sha'biyah, Libya - north
• Murzuq Sha'biyah, Libya - northeast
• Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region, Chad - east

Domestically, it borders the following departments:

• Diffa Region - southeast
• Zinder Region - south, east of Maradi
• Maradi Region - south, west of Maradi
• Tahoua Region - southwest

See also

• Departments of Niger
• Regions of Niger
• Communes of Niger

External links

• Agadez travel guide from Wikitravel

Regions and Departments of Niger Capital: Niamey in Niamey Capital District Agadez Region Arlit Department Bilma Department Tchirozerine Department Diffa Region Diffa Department Maine-soroa Department N'guigmi Department Dosso Region Boboye Department Dogondoutchi Department Dosso Department Gaya Department Loga Department Maradi Region Aguie Department Dakoro Department Guidan Roumdji Department Madarounfa Department Mayahi Department Tessaoua Department Tahoua Region Abalak Department Bkonni Department Bouza Department Illela Department Keita Department Madoua Department Tahoua Department Tchin-Tabaraden Department Tillabéri Region Filingue Department Kollo Department Ouallam Department Say Department Tera Department Tillabéri Department Zinder Region Goure Department Magaria Department Matameye Department Mirriah Department Tanout Department