Tahoua
Tahoua
Place in Tahoua Region, Niger
Tahoua is a city in Niger and the administrative centre of the Department of Tahoua and the larger Tahoua Region.[3] It is the fourth largest town in the country, with a population of 117,826 (2012 Census).[2]
Tahoua | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 14°53′25″N 05°15′51″E | |
| Country |  Niger |
| Region | Tahoua Region |
| Department | Tahoua Department |
| Communes | Tahoua Communes I-III (Urban) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commune |
| • Mayor Commune I | Abala Elhadj Sofo[1] |
| Elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 117,826[2] |
The city is primarily a market town for the surrounding agricultural area. It serves as an entrepot for Tuareg merchants from the north and Fulani traders from the south. The town is noted for its production of tchoukou cheese.[4]
It is divided into a pair of urban municipalities: Tahoua I and Tahoua II. The town itself is divided into an old town area, and the Sabon Gari ('new town') area to the north.
Tahoua began as a pair of small villages called Bilbis and Fakoua, and began growing from the 17th century on as various groups began migrating to the area, such as the Fulani and Tuareg. Various animist (or Azna) peoples began fleeing to the area to escape persecution from Muslim rulers further north.[4] In 1990, Tahoua was reported to have the lowest HDI score in history, at 0.172.
Tahoua is mainly dominated by the Fulani ethnic group.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 31,252 | — |
| 1988 | 49,948 | +59.8% |
| 2001 | 73,002 | +46.2% |
| 2012 | 117,826 | +61.4% |
| source:[5] | ||
Tahoua is served by the Tahoua Airport.
- Inauguration de l'Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) de Tahoua • Une nouvelle dynamique dans le secteur de l'enseignement supérieur Archived 4 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Le Sahel, Moutari Souley Onep, Tahoua/Agadez. 3 November 2008.
- Tahoua, Niger Page. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. 1996–2004
- Geels, Jolijn, (2006) Bradt Travel Guide - Niger, pgs. 145-55
- Decalo, Samuel (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Niger (3rd ed.). Boston & Folkestone: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-3136-8.
- Geels, Jolijn (2006). Niger. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks / Guilford, Connecticut: Bradt UK / Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-1-84162-152-4.
