Overview
Tandjouaré Prefecture is an administrative division of the Kara Region in northern Togo. It is one of the 30 prefectures that constitute the second-level administrative subdivision of the country. The prefecture’s administrative centre (chef‑lieu) is the town of Tandjouaré.
Geography
- Location: Situated in the northern part of Togo, Tandjouaré Prefecture lies within the Kara Region, bordering other prefectures such as Kéran to the east and Bassar to the south.
- Topography: The area is characterized by a mix of savanna grasslands and low‑lying hills typical of the Kara Region.
- Climate: The prefecture experiences a tropical savanna climate with a distinct wet season (April–October) and dry season (November–March).
Administrative Structure
- Region: Kara Region
- Prefectural Capital: Tandjouaré town
- Sub‑divisions: The prefecture is further divided into several cantons (sub‑prefectures). Official sources list cantons such as Tandjouaré, Koubou, and others, though detailed enumeration varies among publications.
Demographics
- Population: Reliable, up‑to‑date population figures for Tandjouaré Prefecture are not readily available in publicly accessible statistical releases. The most recent national census (2010) provided aggregated data for the Kara Region, but did not publish a separate, verifiable count for Tandjouaré. Consequently, an exact population figure for the prefecture is currently Insufficient Encyclopedic Information.
- Ethnic Groups: The prefecture is inhabited primarily by ethnic groups common to northern Togo, including the Kabye and related peoples.
Economy
- Agriculture: The economy of Tandjouaré Prefecture is predominantly agrarian, with subsistence farming of crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts.
- Livestock: Rearing of cattle, goats, and sheep is widespread, supporting both local consumption and regional markets.
- Trade: Small‑scale trade occurs in local markets, with the prefectural capital serving as a hub for the exchange of agricultural products.
Infrastructure
- Transportation: Road networks connect Tandjouaré town with neighboring prefectures and the regional capital Kara. However, many secondary roads are unpaved and can be difficult to traverse during the rainy season.
- Education and Health: The prefecture hosts primary and secondary schools administered by the Ministry of Education, as well as basic health centers providing primary care services.
History
- Tandjouaré Prefecture was established as part of Togo’s post‑independence administrative organization. The current boundaries and administrative status were formalized in the 1990s when the country restructured its regional and prefectural divisions. Detailed historical events specific to Tandjouaré are not extensively documented in widely available sources; thus, further historical analysis would require localized archival research.
References
- Government of Togo, Ministry of Territorial Administration. Administrative divisions of the Republic of Togo.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Human Development Report – Togo (latest edition).
- National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED), Togo census reports (publicly released data).
Note: Wherever precise numerical data (e.g., area size, population) are unavailable or non‑verifiable from reliable public sources, this entry indicates the lack of information rather than providing speculative figures.