Agadez Region

Agadez Region
Region
Location within Niger
Coordinates: 17°0′N 8°0′E / 17.000°N 8.000°E / 17.000; 8.000Coordinates: 17°0′N 8°0′E / 17.000°N 8.000°E / 17.000; 8.000
Country	Niger
Capital	Agadez
Area
• Total	667,799 km2 (257,839 sq mi)
Population (2012 census[1])
• Total	487,620
• Density	0.73/km2 (1.9/sq mi)
Time zone	West Africa Time (UTC+1)

Agadez is an administrative Region in Niger. At 667,799 square kilometres (257,839 sq mi), Agadez is the largest subdivision in Africa. The capital of the department is Agadez.

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 0.19 inhabitants per square kilometre (0.5/sq mi). 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.

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

References

External links

• Agadez travel guide from Wikivoyage

Regions and Departments of Niger Capital: Niamey in Niamey Capital District Agadez Region Arlit Department Bilma Department Tchirozerine Department Diffa Region Diffa Department Mainé-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 Birni-N'Konni Department Bouza Department Illela Department Keita Department Madaoua Department Tahoua Department Tchintabaraden Department Tillabéri Region Filingue Department Kollo Department Ouallam Department Say Department Téra Department Tillabéri Department Zinder Region Goure Department Magaria Department Matameye Department Mirriah Department Tanout Department