| Agadez | |
| Native Name Lang: | fr |
| Type: | Region |
| Mapsize: | 280px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Agadez |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Sadou Soloké |
| Area Total Km2: | 667,799 |
| Population Total: | 487,620 |
| Population As Of: | 2012 census[1] |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | West Africa Time |
| Utc Offset1: | +1 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | HDI (2021) |
Agadez Region is one of the seven regions of Niger. At 667799km2, it covers more than half of Niger's land area, and is the largest region in the country, as well as the largest African state subdivision. The capital of the department is Agadez.
The region is a centre for palaeontology, with numerous dinosaur skeletons being found here, including the Ouranosaurus nigeriensis. Cave painting and the remains of ancient human settlements are also located here. Tuareg peoples began migrating to the region from the mid-8th century. From the mid-15th century to the early 20th, much of the region was under the control of the Sultanate of Agadez, except for a period when the area came under the rule of the Songhai Empire in the 1500s.
The region suffered with the advent of French colonialism as power shifted away to the southwest; Tuareg disaffection with French rule resulted in the Kaocen revolt in 1916–17. This process continued following Niger's independence in 1960; local Tuareg saw little recompense from the uranium mining boom in Arlit in the 1970s, and Agadez Region was struck by repeated droughts and famines. Since then there have been two Tuareg rebellions: from 1990–95 and 2007–09. In recent years the region has also been affected by an insurgency in the Maghreb by Islamist groups.
The Agadez Region borders Algeria (Tamanrasset Province and Illizi Province) and Libya (Murzuq District) to the north, Chad (Tibesti Region) to the east, Diffa Region, Zinder Region, Tahoua Region and Maradi Region to the south, and Mali (Kidal Region) to the west. It is by far the largest region of the country, representing 52% of the total area of Niger. The region is dominated by the Sahara desert, and includes the vast Ténéré portion of that desert, as well as dune seas such as the Erg of Bilma.[3] The Aïr Mountains, the tallest peaks in Niger, are also located here.[3] The Djado Plateau is located in the far north.
Agadez is the regional capital; other major settlements include Aderbissinat, Arlit, Assamakka, Bilma, Dirkou, Iferouane, In-Gall, Madama, Séguedine, Tchirozerine, Tegguiada In Tessoum and Timia.[4]
Agadez is subdivided into six departments
| Aderbissinat | 51,360 km2 | 35,320 inhabitants | Aderbissinat | ||
| Arlit | 61,180 km2 | 105,025 inhabitants | Arlit | ||
| Bilma | 277,700 km2 | 17,935 inhabitants | Bilma | Bilma, Djado, Fachi, Kawar | |
| Iferouane | 32,731 km2 | 32,731 inhabitants | Iferouane | ||
| In-Gall | 61,170 km2 | 51,903 inhabitants | In-Gall | ||
| 30,960 km2 | 244,706 inhabitants |
Agadez has a large area but is sparsely populated. Its 487,620 inhabitants (as per the 2012 census)[6] account for only 2.8% of the total population of Niger, with a population density of 1.9PD/sqmi. Much of its population comprises nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples, including Arabs, Fulani, Kanuri, Dazaga Toubou and various Tuareg groups. The Tagdal language and Tasawaq language, thought to be mixed Songhai-Tuareg languages, are also spoken.[7]
Traversed for centuries by the Trans-Saharan trade routes, the oasis towns of the Aïr and the eastern Kaouar Cliffs are known for their gardens, salt manufacture, and date cultivation. Arlit is the centre of Niger's uranium industry, a prominent economic sector in the region with uranium pits and mines operated by foreign companies providing substantial revenue for the country. The French discovered Niger's first uranium deposits in the Tim Mersoi Basin of the Agadez Region in 1958 and since then French companies such as Areva have maintained a large footprint in the region, employing a large quantity of locals.[8] [9] Depressed uranium prices since the 1980s have hit the region hard, though uranium remains one of the main foreign exchange earners for the country and a main export.[10] The region is less poor than other regions of the country. It has the second-highest Human Development Index and the second-lowest incidence of extreme poverty according to World Bank data from 2018.[11]
Agadez had historically been one of the main centres of tourism in Niger, with visitors attracted by the desert scenery, archaeological sites and the Air Mountains. However Tuareg rebellions and activities of Islamist militants in Agadez region have severely reduced the numbers of tourists, with most third party governments advising against travel to the region.