Pobè
Commune and city in Plateau Department, Benin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pobè [pɔ.bɛ] is a city and arrondissement located in the Plateau Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 400 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 123,740 people.[1]
Pobè | |
|---|---|
  Pobè Location in Benin | |
| Coordinates: 6°58′N 2°41′E | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Plateau Department |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Simon Adébayo DINAN |
| Area | |
• Total | 400 km2 (150 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 39 m (128 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 123,740 |
| • Density | 310/km2 (800/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Geography
Pobè is a city and commune in the Plateau Department of southeastern Benin. The commune covers an area of about 400 square kilometres.[2] It is bordered to the north by the commune of Kétou, to the south and west by Adja-Ouèrè, and to the east by the Republic of Nigeria.[3]
Administrative divisions
Population
According to the 2013 General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-4), Pobè had a population of about 123,677 inhabitants.[6] The population growth between 1992 and 2002 was high, with 82,910 inhabitants in 2002 and ~54,181 in 1992, indicating an annual growth rate consistent with many borders communes of Plateau.[7]
Economy
Agriculture is the main economic activity in Pobè. Major crops include maize, manioc, yams, groundnut (arachide), palm oil, and vegetables.[5][4] Pobè also has significant mineral resources, notably limestone (in Onigbolo in the Issaba arrondissement), clay and “terre de barre”.[4][2] The commune hosts a cement factory (Société des Ciments du Bénin, Groupe Lafarge) in Onigbolo, supplying clinker to many construction sites across Benin.[2][4]
Infrastructure and Services
Pobè is governed by a mayor, currently Simon Adébayo Dinan (since June 2020).[2] It has 25 members in its communal council.[5] The commune is part of the national electricity network and is involved in major development programs including a 25 MW solar photovoltaic plant to be built over 96 hectares.[4] Pobè has a budget primitif de près de **1,976,786,921 FCFA** pour l’année 2021, visant notamment l’amélioration des routes, de l’école, et des services sociaux.[8]
Culture, Language, and Ethnic Groups
The population of Pobè includes several ethnic and linguistic groups: Nago, Yoruba, Holli, Goun, Fon, and Adja.[2][3] The commune has a strong tradition of craftsmanship: wood carving, pottery, weaving are practiced. It also hosts cultural festivals, sacred forests, and traditional rituals, particularly in rural arrondissements and villages.[4][7]
Climate and Environment
Pobè has a subequatorial climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.[7] The relief is made up of plateaus and depressions; soils include fertile clay, limestone outcrops, and sandy loam. The village of Onigbolo in Issaba has notably rich limestone deposits.[4][2] There are relic forests and forest patches (îlots forestiers) and potential for solar energy development due to good insolation.[5][4]
