Maradi Region

The Region of Maradi is one of seven regions of Niger. It is located in south-central Niger, east of the Region of Tahoua, west of Zinder, and north of the Nigerian city of Katsina. The administrative centre is at Maradi, with the population of the Region being predominantly Hausa.

History

In 2021, a large gold mine collapsed in the region, killing 18 miners.

Geography

Maradi borders Agadez Region to the north, Zinder Region to the east, Nigeria to the south, and Tahoua Region to the west. Most of the 35,100 km² of land is classified as "Sahel", though the northern parts merge into the Sahara desert, and the very southern edges along the border with Nigeria get almost 600 mm a year in average rainfall, with some areas receiving as much as 650–700 mm in better years. Lake Madarounfa lies south of Maradi, into which the seasonal Goulbi N'Gabi and Goulbi N'Maradi rivers flow.

Settlements

is the regional capital; other major settlements include Adjekoria, Aguie, Attantane, Azagor, Bader Goula, Baoudetta, Bermo, Birni Lalle, Chadakori, Dakoro, Dan-Goulbi, Djiratawa, El Allassane Maireyrey, Gababedji, Gabi, Gangara, Gazaoua, Guidan Amoumoune, Guidan Roumji, Guidan Sori, Hawandawaki, Issawane, Kanan-Bakache, Kollo, Koona, Korahane, Korgom, Kornaka, Madarounfa, Maiyara, Mar-Jirgui, Mayahi, Ourafane, Roumboui, Sabon-Machi, Safo, Sarkin Haoussa, Sarkin Yamma, Tagriss, Tchadoua, Tchake, Tessaoua and Tibiri.

Administrative subdivisions

Maradi is divided into 8 Departments and one commune:

The Niger-Nigeria border dips south below the Region's capital, forming an area sometimes called the "breadbasket" of Niger. While tobacco, mangoes, wheat, soy beans, and even cotton are cultivated in some areas, the predominant crops are groundnuts, grown commercially, millet, sorghum, and cow peas, typically for domestic consumption.

Demographics

Maradi is the most densely populated region of Niger, with a population of 3,117,810 as of 2011. Culturally, the Maradi Region forms the west-central section of the Nigerien Hausaland, which extends along the Nigerian border west to Dogondoutchi and east to just beyond Zinder. Other groups include the Fula people, and the Tuareg peoples, especially in the region's north and along major trade routes. The Tagdal language, thought to be a mixed Songhay-Tuareg language, is also spoken.