Gaya (Niger)

Region

Gaya is a town and the capital of the eponymous department Gaya in Niger.

Geography

Gaya is located in the southwest of the country on the river Niger in the United landscape Sudan. In the town there is a border crossing to the neighboring state of Benin. The neighboring municipalities Gaya in Niger are Tanda in the northwest, Bana in the northeast, Bengou the east and Tounouga in the southeast.

The city is divided into ten districts, 42 traditional villages, four administrative villages and three camps. The ten districts are Administratif, Baguese, Haoussa, Koiratégui, Koussou, Koyze Kounda, Laweye, plateau, and Sakabatama Sokondji. The city center is right on the river. To the west of the municipality, the 8,800 -acre nature reserve Forêt de classée Goroubassounga, which is threatened by agricultural and forestry activities as well as through informal settlements extends. In the tiger bush thrive wing seed plants such as Combretum micranthum, Combretum nigricans and Guiera senegalensis. Along the river there are dense stands of acacia, Ethiopian Palmyra palm trees and doum palms.

The hottest month is April in Gaya, coolest in January. In the period 1977-2004 the average monthly temperatures of 27.28 ° C to 40.43 ° C were measured in April, in January of 18.74 ° C to 33.33 ° C. The average annual rainfall rate for the period 1931-2004 788.19 mm, an in nationwide comparison of very high value. The humidity varies from 20 % in February and 80 % in August.

History

Gaya was an important inter-regional trade center before the occupation by the Europeans. End of the 19th century, the city residents lived in constant fear of attacks by the Tukulor. During the military occupation of the later Niger colony by France Gaya was in 1899 joined the French colony of Dahomey. 1902 reached the city on the third military territory ( Territoire militaire troisième ), emerged from the 1904, the military territory of Niger ( Territoire Militaire du Niger ). The French military base in Gaya had to be closed in 1903 and moved to Kirtachi because the unclear boundary between the French and the British sphere of influence Nigeria caused too much uncertainty.

First time in 2002 municipal elections were held. Mayor became the teacher Hassimi Dambaro ( MNSD - Nassara ).

Population

In the city is home to a variety of ethnic groups that settled here between the 16th and 19th centuries. The most important include Tchianga, Songhai, Zarma, various Hausa - Fulani groups as well. In the 1977 census, Gaya had 8709 inhabitants in the census in 1988 14,868 inhabitants in the 2001 census 27 856 inhabitants. For the year 2010 54.865 inhabitants were calculated. The high level of immigration is on the economic importance of the city and leads to a brisk trade with the ground.

Culture and sights

One of the special festivals in Gaya is one of the annual fishing festival, which attracts young people from Benin and Nigeria. In addition, every year there is a celebration in which the river spirits are called. The popular throughout Niger martial lutte traditionnal called in Gaya Denbe.

Economy and infrastructure

Gaya is especially for trade with Benin and Nigeria matter where livestock and plant foods like cowpea and peanuts are sold and where sweet potatoes and finished products come. From Gaya also from cereals, peanuts and cowpeas are sold in other areas of Niger. Especially in the eastern and northeastern parts of Gaya, about in the district Plateau, the cityscape is dominated by large warehouses. The high rainfall promote agricultural activities. Along the river rice, vegetables and sugarcane are grown. The district hospital of Gaya has existed since 1952. In the city there are 24 schools, of which the oldest was founded in 1923. Gaya is the seat of the Tribunal d' Instance, one of the nation's 30 civil courts, which is below the ten civil courts of first instance (Tribunal de Grande Instance ) are. The city is connected by the National Road 7 to the regional capital of Dosso and National Highway 8, to the border with Nigeria. In Gaya is a civilian airport located with unpaved airstrip, the Gaya Airport ( ICAO code: DRRG ).

Personalities

• Boubé Zoumé (1951-1997), writer