Northern Region (Ghana)
Northern Region, Dagbon | |
---|---|
Region | |
Location of Northern Region in Ghana | |
Districts of Northern region, Dagbon | |
Country | Ghana |
Capital | Tamale |
Districts | 20 |
Government | |
• Regional Minister | Limuna Mohammed Muniru |
Area[1] | |
• Total | 70,384 km2 (27,175 sq mi) |
Population (2010 Census)[2] | |
• Total | 2,479,461 |
• Density | 35/km2 (91/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $5,150 |
GDP (Nominal) | |
• Year | 2013 |
• Per capita | $2,500 |
Time zone | GMT |
Area code(s) | 037 |
ISO 3166 code | GH-NP |
The Northern Region is located in North Ghana. It is the largest of ten regions coverings an area of 70,384 square kilometers or 31 percent of Ghana's area . Northern Region is divided into 26 districts. The Northern Region's capital is Tamale.[1]
Geography and climate
Location and size
The Northern Region is precisely located in the Kingdom of Dagbon and the Northern region is bordered on the north by the Upper West region and the Upper East region, on the east by the eastern Ghana-Togo international border, on the south by the Black Volta River and the Volta region, and on the north-west by the Upper West region and Burkina Faso, and on the west by the western Ghana-Ivory Coast international border. Northern region is the largest region in total area, and is made up of 20 districts.
Climate and Vegetation
The Northern Region is much drier than southern areas of Ghana, due to its proximity to the Sahel, and the Sahara. The vegetation consists predominantly of grassland, especially savanna with clusters of drought-resistant trees such as baobabs or acacias. Between January and March is the wet season, with an average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The dry season is between about July and December. The highest temperatures are reached at the end of the dry season, the lowest in December and January. However, the hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara blows frequently between December and the beginning of February. The temperatures can vary between 14 °C (59 °F) at night and 40 °C (104 °F) during the day.
Tourism
Parks
Economy
More than 75% of the economically active population are agricultural. The low population density is partly caused by emigration.
Demographics
The Northern Region has a low density, and along with the official language of English most inhabitants (52%) speak a language of the Oti–Volta subfamily in the Niger–Congo languages.
Districts
The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 20 districts.[1] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Area, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves.
Districts in Northern region, Dagbon | |||
---|---|---|---|
# | District | Capital | Population |
1 | Bole | Bole | |
2 | Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo | Bunkpurugu | |
3 | Central Gonja | Buipe | |
4 | Chereponi | Chereponi | |
5 | East Gonja | Salaga | |
6 | East Mamprusi | Gambaga | |
7 | Gushegu | Gushegu | |
8 | Karaga | Karaga | |
9 | Kpandai | Kpandai | |
10 | Nanumba North | Bimbilla | |
11 | Nanumba South | Wulensi | |
12 | Saboba | Saboba | |
13 | Savelugu-Nanton | Savelugu | |
14 | Sawla-Tuna-Kalba | Sawla | |
15 | Tamale Metropolitan | Tamale | |
16 | Tolon | Tolon | |
17 | West Gonja | Damongo | |
18 | West Mamprusi | Walewale | |
19 | Yendi Municipal | Yendi | |
20 | Zabzugu | Zabzugu | |
21 | Kumbungu | Kumbungu | |
22 | Mankragu/ Moagduri | Yagaba | |
23 | Sagnarigu | Sagnarigu | |
24 | Mion | Sang | |
25 | Tatale/Sanguli | Tatale | |
26 | North Gonja | Daboya | |
Total |
Famous citizens
Famous native citizens of Northern region, Dagbon | ||
---|---|---|
# | Citizen | Settlement |
1 | John Dramani Mahama | Damongo |
2 | Aliu Mahama | Yendi |
3 | Wakaso | Tamale |
4 | Majeed Waris | Tamale |
5 | Eric Robertson Yaw. I | Tamale |
References
- 1 2 3 "Northern Region". GhanaDistricts.com. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ↑ "Northern Region – Population" (PDF). statsghana.gov.gh. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- "Districts of Ghana". Statoids.
- GhanaDistricts.com
External links
Burkina Faso & Upper West | Upper West & Upper East | Upper East | ||
Ivory Coast | Togo | |||
| ||||
Black Volta River | Black Volta River | Black Volta River & Volta |
Coordinates: 9°30′N 1°00′W / 9.500°N 1.000°W