Niamtougou

Niamtougou
Niamtougou

Location in Togo

Coordinates: 9°46′N 1°06′E / 9.767°N 1.100°E / 9.767; 1.100Coordinates: 9°46′N 1°06′E / 9.767°N 1.100°E / 9.767; 1.100
Country Togo
Region Kara Region
Population (2005)[1]
 • Total 24,000

Niamtougou is a market town in and district capital of Doufelgou District (Préfecture), in the Kara Region of Togo. It is located 28 km (17 mi) north of Kara on the nation's main North-South road, Route Nationale No. 1.

Geography

Niamtougou is composed of six villages that are in close proximity to each other: Niamtougou, Koka, Baga, Ténéga, Yaka, and Agbandé.

Government

Niamtougou is the district capital of Doufelgou District and houses facilities of the Interior, Education, and Rural Development Ministries. The district's administrative offices, including the office and residence of the District Governor (Préfet), are located in Koka.

Economy

The Niamtougou Market is second only to the Kétao Market in its importance in the Kara Region. While "market day" is weekly on Sunday, there is significant daily activity.

Transportation

Niamtougou International Airport - Togo's second largest airport after the Tokoin International Airport in Lomé - is located in Baga, 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Niamtougou center. As of July 2014 it did not have regularly scheduled commercial flights. Niamtougou is on the nation's main North-South road, Route Nationale No. 1. Secondary roads leaving Niamtougou connect to the agricultural communities of Siou, Pouda, Massadéna, and Tchitchirra and the crossroads market town of Kouméa.

Demographics

Niamtougou, Koka, Baga, and Ténéga are composed principally of speakers of Nawdm (Losso) while Yaka and Agbandé are composed of Lamba-speakers. Most of Niamtougou's Christian population is Roman Catholic. There is a mosque (masjid) in the center of Niamtougou across from the market. Most Muslims in Niamtougou are merchants or civil servants who are not originally from the area.

Education

There are numerous public elementary schools and a secondary school (lycée). In addition, there is a Roman Catholic mission elementary school and a large Roman Catholic church.

Health

There is a modest hospital and a small state hotel.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in town, its main football field has a capacity around 1,000.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Niamtougou.
  1. ↑ World Gazetteer, accessed 14 May 2008
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