Plateau Department
| Plateau | |
|---|---|
| Department | |
|
Ketou Chief | |
 Map highlighting the Plateau Department | |
| Coordinates: 6°58′N 2°41′E / 6.967°N 2.683°ECoordinates: 6°58′N 2°41′E / 6.967°N 2.683°E | |
| Country |
 Benin |
| Capital | Sakété |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 3,264 km2 (1,260 sq mi) |
| Population (2013 census) | |
| • Total | 624,146 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
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Plateau is one of the twelve departments of Benin. The population is predominantly Yoruba of the following subgroups: Nagot group at 45.7% and the Ohori (also known as the Holli) at 20.9% for a total of 66.6% to constitute the majority. The Yoruba group is followed by the Fon group of the following subgroups: Guns at 12.4% of the population, Fon at 8.2% of the population, and Torri 6.5%.[2] The département of Plateau was created in 1999 with an area of 2,835 sq. km, when it was split off from Ouémé Department. Plateau is subdivided into five communes, each centered at one of the principal towns, namely, Adja-Ouèrè, Ifangni, Kétou, Pobè and Sakété.
Per 2013 census, the total population of the department was 622,372 with 300,065 males and 322,307 females. The proportion of women was 51.80 per cent. The total rural population was 54.80 percent, while the urban population was 45.20 per cent. The total labour force in the department was 185,815 out of which 43.10 per cent were women. The proportion of households with no level of education was 65.50
Geography
Plateau is characterized by plateaus ranging from 20 m (66 ft) above the mean sea level. The plateaus are split by valleys running from north to south, created by the Iguidi river.[3][4] The river deposits of clay have rich iron ore deposits underneath and also siliceous clay and forested area around the river basin.[5] The southern regions receive two spells from March to July and September to November while the northern regions of the country receive one season of rainfall from May to September. The country receives an average annual rainfall of around 1,200 mm (47 in).[6]
Economics
Per 2013 census, the total population of the department was 622,372 with 300,065 males and 322,307 females. The proportion of women was 51.80 per cent. The total rural population was 54.80 percent, while the urban population was 45.20 per cent. The proportion of women in child bearing age of 15 to 49 years was 24.30 per cent. The total foreign population in the department was 2,605 which formed 0.40 per cent of the total population in the department. The proportion of assets of foreigners aged 10+ years was 32.00 per cent, while for the people aged 15-64 years, it was 31.70 per cent. The proportion of women in foreign population constituted 42.50 per cent. The number of households in the department was 110,532 and the average household size was 5.6. The intercensal growth rate of population was 3.80 per cent.[8]
The average age of women during first marriage in the department was 21.4 and the average age at maternity was 28.8. The synthetic index of fertility of women was 4.7. The average number of kernels in a house was 1.3 and the average number of persons in a room was 1.7. The total labour force in the department was 185,815 out of which 43.10 per cent were women. The proportion of households with no level of education was 65.50 and the proportion of households with children attending school was 60.00. The crude birth rate was 36.2, general rate of fertility was 149.10 and the gross reproduction rate was 2.30.[7]
Administrative divisions
The département of Plateau was created in 1999 when it was split off from Ouémé Department with an area of 2,835 sq. km. Plateau is subdivided into five communes, each centered at one of the principal towns, namely, Adja-Ouèrè, Ifangni, Kétou, Pobè and Sakété.[9] Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, was a French colony till 1894. It gained independence during 1960 and was admitted to the United Nations. From 1960 to 1972, there was political instability with frequent change of leadership. [10] Benin originally had six administrative divisions, but was further bifurcated to make it 12. Each de-concentrated administrative services, called directions départementales(DD) of the sectoral ministries, take care of two administrative regions. A law passed during 1999 empowered the territorial administration to local governments.[11] Municipalities and communal councils have elected representatives who manage the administration of the regions. The latest elections of the municipal and communal councils were held during June 2015.[12]
References
- ↑ "Benin". Geohive. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ↑ "Ethnicity in Benin". NADA. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ↑ Benin Mineral & Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide. Int'l Business Publications. 2007. pp. 21–22. ISBN 9781433019012.
- ↑ McColl, R. W. (2014). Encyclopedia of World Geography, Volume 1. Infobase Publishing. p. 21-22. ISBN 9780816072293.
- ↑ Usa International Business Publications (2007). Benin Mineral & Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide. Int'l Business Publications. p. 288. ISBN 9781433019012.
- ↑ Haggett, Peter, ed. (2002). Encyclopedia of World Geography, Volume 17. Marshall Cavendish. p. 2325. ISBN 9780761473060.
- 1 2 "Socio economic data of Benin, 2013". Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Economique (INSAE) du Benin. 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ↑ "Census of Benin, 2013". Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Economique (INSAE) du Benin. 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ↑ Houngnikpo, Mathurin C.; Decalo, Samuel (2013). Historical Dictionary of Benin. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 288-89. ISBN 9780810871717.
- ↑ "Benin country profile". BBC. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ↑ Republic of Benin, Public Administration and Country profile (PDF) (Report). Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations. 2004. p. 8. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ↑ "Local elections in Benin, 2015". African Elections Database. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
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