Banikoara
Place in Alibori Department, Benin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Banikoara [ba.ni.kwa.ʁa] 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.
Banikoara | |
|---|---|
  Banikoara Location in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 11°18′N 2°26′E | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Alibori Department |
| Area | |
| 4,383 km2 (1,692 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 300 m (980 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| 248,621 | |
| • Density | 56.72/km2 (146.9/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 28,402 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Postal address | BP: 01 |
| Area code | (+223) 29 |
Banikoara, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy.[1]
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.[2]
The arrondissement of Banikoara contains the villages of Arbonga, Demanou, Derou Garou, Kokire, Kommon, Kori Ginguiri, Tokey Banta, Wagou, Weterou and Yadikparou.[3]
Demographics
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.[2] The main crops grown are maize, cotton, sorghum and cowpeas.[2]
Electricity used in Banikora often has to be produced by a generator due to a defective solar system and unreliable mains electricity.[6] The telephone lines are in poor condition, which makes it difficult to maintain a regular and reliable connection for Internet access.[6] Banikoara is 60 kilometres from the nearest hard road and its development is hampered by its isolation until infrastructure develops.[6]
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.[6] They had provided education to local people in basic IT and Internet skills since February 2002, text processing, photocopying, scanning, printing and photography.[6]
