Tessaoua, formerly known as Tessawa, is a city located in the Maradi Region of Niger. It has a population of 43,409 (2012 census).[2][1] Tessaoua is historically an important city in its region. It is situated in a central geographical location. Tessaoua is a midpoint on a historical trade route between Agadez, Niger, in the north and Kano, Nigeria, in the south. During the collapse of the sultanates of Bornu and Sokoto during the late 19th century, the local ruler declared his territory the sultanate of Tessaoua; he signed a treaty of protection with the French captain Cazemajou in 1897, prior to the explorer's murder in nearby Zinder.

Tessaoua
Tessaoua is located in Niger
Tessaoua
Tessaoua
Coordinates: 13°45′26″N 07°59′14″E / 13.75722°N 7.98722°E / 13.75722; 7.98722
CountryNiger
RegionMaradi
Elevation
405 m (1,329 ft)
Population
 (2012 census[1])
 • City43,409
 • Metro
172,796 (Tessaoua Commune)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)

More important to modern Niger, Tessaoua is nearly halfway between the regional capitals of Maradi and Zinder on the one main east-west road in Niger. Zinder used to be the capital of Niger until the French colonialists moved the capital west to Niamey, where it was closer to others of the French West African holdings and thus easier to manage. Tessaoua used to be a regional capital, until political power was shifted to Maradi. Maradi is still the regional capital today.

Tessaoua has one high school (lycée) and several primary schools—some of which instruct in French and others which instruct primarily in the national language, Hausa, or also in Arabic in the Franco-Arabe, or Koranic schools. It does not have a university. There are two hospitals in Tessaoua. Many non-governmental organisation (NGOs) also have regional headquarters in Tessaoua, which allows them access to surrounding rural villages. There is also a football club in the town, Tessaoua FC. They competed in the 1975 Niger Cup final but lost to Olympic FC, 2–1. The club has since never appeared in another final.

The city is home to former Foreign Minister of Niger Mamadou Maidah (1924–2005).

Climate

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Climate data for Tessaoua
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8)
33.9
(93.0)
37.5
(99.5)
39.7
(103.5)
39.3
(102.7)
37.2
(99.0)
33.2
(91.8)
31.5
(88.7)
33.5
(92.3)
36.3
(97.3)
34.7
(94.5)
31.3
(88.3)
34.9
(94.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 22.6
(72.7)
25.1
(77.2)
29.1
(84.4)
31.8
(89.2)
32.3
(90.1)
30.9
(87.6)
27.9
(82.2)
26.5
(79.7)
27.7
(81.9)
28.6
(83.5)
26.2
(79.2)
22.8
(73.0)
27.6
(81.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.2
(57.6)
16.3
(61.3)
20.7
(69.3)
24.4
(75.9)
25.4
(77.7)
24.7
(76.5)
22.6
(72.7)
21.6
(70.9)
21.9
(71.4)
21.0
(69.8)
17.7
(63.9)
14.4
(57.9)
20.4
(68.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
3
(0.1)
12
(0.5)
41
(1.6)
112
(4.4)
154
(6.1)
54
(2.1)
6
(0.2)
0
(0)
0
(0)
382
(15)
Source: Climate-Data.org

Population

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Date
(Census)[1]
Population
20 November 1977 10,590
10 May 1988 19,737
20 May 2001 31,667
10 December 2012 43,409

References

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  1. ^ a b c Population figures from citypopulation.de, citing (2001) Institut National de la Statistique du Niger.
  2. ^ "Tessaoua (Commune, Niger) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
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  • Tessaoua, Niger Page. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. 1996–2004. Accessed 2009-03-29
  • Decalo, Samuel (1997). Historical Dictionary of the Niger (3rd ed.). Boston & Folkestone: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-3136-8.: 305 
  • Geels, Jolijn (2006). Niger. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks / Guilford, CT: Bradt UK / Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-1-84162-152-4.: 211–12