| Official Name: | Balanga | ||||||
| Settlement Type: | LGA | ||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Nigeria | ||||||
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 | ||||||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Nigeria | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 9.9667°N 52°W | ||||||
| Module: |
| ||||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||||
| Subdivision Name: |  Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Type1: | State | ||||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Gombe State | ||||||
| Seat Type: | Headquarters | ||||||
| Seat: | Talasse | ||||||
| Leader Title: | Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council | ||||||
| Leader Name: | Garba Umar | ||||||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||||||
| Area Total Km2: | 1626 | ||||||
| Population Total: | 212,549 | ||||||
| Population As Of: | 2006 census | ||||||
| Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities | ||||||
| Population Blank2 Title: | Religions | ||||||
| Postal Code Type: | 3-digit postal code prefix | ||||||
| Postal Code: | 761 | ||||||
| Iso Code: | NG.GO.BA | ||||||
| Timezone: | WAT | ||||||
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
Balanga is one of the eleven local government areas in Gombe State, Nigeria. It falls under the southern senatorial district of the state. Its administrative headquarters is located at Talasse town. The LGA is bordered by Yemaltu-Deba LGA to the north while to the south and east by Adamawa state and to the west by Shongom, Kaltungo and Akko LGA.[1]
Balanga LGA encompasses a total area of 1,626 square kilometres.[2]
The Balanga LGAs residents rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, with crops like tomatoes, sorghum, maize, beans, and groundnuts being farmed nearby. Bentonite, limestone, granite, and topaz are among the mineral deposits in the Balanga LGA. The crucial Balanga Dam is located within the boundaries of Balanga LGA.[3]
The average temperature is 35C. The average humidity is 17%, while the average wind speed is 4km/h.[4] [5] [6]
The temperature in Balanga is rising significantly due to climate change, and warming stripes show a trend in the right direction.[7]
The population of Balanga is estimated at 176,944 inhabitants with the huge majority being from members of the Hausa, Fulani and Waja tribes.
Towns and Villages in Balanga LGA.[8] [9]
The postal code of the area is 761.[10]
Hausa, Fulfulde and Waja languages are spoken extensively in the area.[11]
Islam is the most commonly practiced religion in Balanga.
The Loojaa settlement in Balanga Local Government Area is home to the extinct Jalaa language (bàsàrə̀n dà jàlààbè̩), a language isolate also known as Centúúm or Cen Tuum.
The chairman of the LGA is Garba Umar [12]
In July 21, 2021, there was a communal violence where five people were injured and at least two houses burnt in Nyuwar community of Balanga. This led to the placement of Nyuwar, Jessu, Heme, Yolde Gilingitu, Sikam, Wala-Lunguda and environs under curfew.[13]