Tchaourou

Tchaourou
Commune and city
Tchaourou Location in Benin
Coordinates: 8°53′N 2°36′E / 8.883°N 2.600°E / 8.883; 2.600
Country	Benin
Department	Borgou Department
Area
• Total	2,802 sq mi (7,256 km2)
Population (2013)
• Total	221,108
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)

Tchaourou (Saworo in Yoruba etymology, meaning rattle) is a commune, arrondissement, and city located in the Borgou Department of Benin, a country in Western Africa, formerly known as Dahomey (until 1975). It is the birthplace of current Beninese president Yayi Boni. It is 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Parakou.^[1]

Overview

The commune covers an area of 7,256 km² (2,802 sq mi) and as of 2013 had a population of 221,108 people.,^[2] while the Tchaourou city proper has a population of 106,852 people, making it the 10th largest settlement in Benin.^[3] As an arrondissement and commune, Tchaourou is one of the largest municipalities in the Borgu department of Benin. It is home to people of various ethnic groups, mainly Yoruba people, also known as Anago or Nago, Bariba and Fulani peoples. Tchaourou is a mainly agricultural town. However, illegal activities in the sale of fuel have developed in the region, given its proximity to its major oil neighbor, Nigeria. The current mayor is Soulé Biyaou Abou.

Tchaourou was once one of the most popular among the Fulani from the north of the country. As a result of the seasonal migration, however, several fodder trees such as Khaya senegalensis and Afzelia africana, which were common, are now very rare in the town. The disappearance of valuable species of trees, is caused by a combination of slash-and-burn shifting cultivation and exploitation of wood. Deforestation is very common, particularly logging for tree bark used in traditional medicines made by the Fulani herdsmen.

Climate

Demographics

The main languages of Tchaourou are Bariba, Fula (Fula: Fulfulde; French: Peul), Yoruba, Otamari and Yom Lokpa.

Administration

The commune is divided administratively into 7 arrondissements, in 5 quarters and 31 villages.

References

Coordinates: 8°53′N 2°36′E / 8.883°N 2.600°E / 8.883; 2.600

Communes of Benin
Alibori Department	Banikoara Gogounou Kandi Karimama Malanville Ségbana
Atakora Department	Boukoumbé Cobly Kérou Kouandé Matéri Natitingou Pehonko Tanguiéta Toucountouna
Atlantique Department	Abomey-Calavi Allada Kpomassè Ouidah Sô-Ava Toffo Tori-Bossito Zè
Borgou Department	Bembèrèkè Kalalè N'Dali Nikki Parakou Pèrèrè Sinendé Tchaourou
Collines Department	Bantè Dassa-Zoumè Glazoué Ouèssè Savalou Savé
Donga Department	Bassila Copargo Djougou Ouaké
Kouffo Department	Aplahoué Djakotomey Dogbo-Tota Klouékanmè Lalo Toviklin
Littoral Department	Cotonou
Mono Department	Athiémè Bopa Comé Grand-Popo Houéyogbé Lokossa
Ouémé Department	Adjarra Adjohoun Aguégués Akpro-Missérété Avrankou Bonou Dangbo Porto-Novo Sèmè-Kpodji
Plateau Department	Ifangni Adja-Ouèrè Kétou Pobè Sakété
Zou Department	Abomey Agbangnizoun Bohicon Covè Djidja Ouinhi Za-Kpota Zagnanado Zogbodomey