Batha (region) explained

13.214°N 18.336°W

Batha
Native Name:البطحة
Native Name Lang:ar
Settlement Type:Region
Mapsize:200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Chad
Subdivision Type1:Departments
Subdivision Type2:Sub-prefectures
Subdivision Name1:3
Subdivision Name2:10
Seat Type:Regional capital
Seat:Ati
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Total:527031
Population As Of:2009
Population Density Km2:auto

Batha (Arabic: البطحة) is one of the 23 regions of Chad, located in the centre of the country. It is composed of what was formerly Batha Prefecture with some slight boundary adjustments.[1] The capital of the region is Ati.

Geography

The region borders Borkou Region to the north, Wadi Fira Region and Ouaddaï Region to the east, Sila Region to the south-east, Guéra Region to the south, Hadjer-Lamis Region to the south-west, and Bahr el Gazel Region to the west. The terrain is generally savannah grassland, merging into the Sahara Desert in the sparsely populated north of the region. Lake Fitri is located in the south-west of the region.

Settlements

Ati is the capital of the region; other major settlements include Am Sack, Assinet, Djédaa, Haraze Djombo Kibit, Hidjelidjé, Oum Hadjer and Yao.[2]

Demographics

As per the Chadian census of 2009, the population of the region was 527,031, 51.9% female. The average size of household as of 2009 is 5.1 in rural households and 5.4 in urban areas. The number of households was 103,261: 89,991 in rural areas and 13,270 in urban areas. The number of nomads in the region was 37,419, 9.6% of the population. There were 526,008 people residing in private households. There were 221,810 people above 18 years of age: 98,651 male and 123,159 female. The sex ratio was 0.93 (93 females per 100 males).

The main ethnolinguistic groups are Arab groups such as the Baggara, who predominantly speak Chadian Arabic (33.62%), Dar Daju Daju (percentage not known), Lisi groups such as the Bilala (18.11%) and Naba-Kuka (15.71%), the Masalit (5.73%) and the Masmaje (5.61%).[3] [4]

Economy

As of 2015, internet and telephone were limited and post was the primary mode of communication.[5]

In 2016 gold was discovered in the region, and many people from all over Chad, and some from as far away as Niger and Sudan, began flocking here. However, the Chadian army moved to prevent anyone from getting into the region.[6]

Administration

As a part of decentralisation in February 2003, Chad was administratively split into regions, departments, municipalities and rural communities. The prefectures which were originally 14 in number were re-designated in 23 regions. The regions are administered by Governors appointed by the President. The Prefects, who originally held the responsibility of the 14 prefects, still retained the titles and were responsible for the administration of smaller departments in each region. The members of local assemblies are elected every six years, while the executive organs are elected every three years.[7] As of 2016, there are 23 regions in Chad, which are divided based on population and administrative convenience.

Subdivisions

The region of Batha is divided into three departments: Batha Est, Batha Ouest and Fitri.[8]

External links


Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ordonnance n° 002/PR/08 portant restructuration de certaines collectivités territoriales décentralisées . Ordinance No. 002/PR/08 on restructuring of certain decentralized local authorities . Government of Chad . 19 February 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113631/http://legitchad.cefod-tchad.org/texte/549 . March 4, 2016 .
  2. Web site: Tchad : Régions du Batha (Juillet 2016) . . . 28 September 2019.
  3. Web site: Census of Chad. 2009. National Institute of Statistical, Economic and Demographic Studies, Chad. 17 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161121042557/http://chad.opendataforafrica.org/areounf/census-of-population-and-housing-chad-2009. 21 November 2016.
  4. Web site: Languages of Chad . . 27 September 2019.
  5. Book: Africa: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society [3 volumes]

    An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society]

    . ABC-CLIO. 2015. Toyin . Falola . Daniel . Jean-Jacques. 251. 9781598846669.
  6. News: Gold rush triggers tensions in Chad. B.. Abakar. 2016-01-25. France 24. 2017-10-04. M.. Daoud. en-US. Capron. Alexandre.
  7. Republic of Chad Public Administration and Country profile. 9. 17 November 2016. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations. 2004. 14 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070614080558/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023258.pdf. dead.
  8. Chad district map. 20 November 2016. Department of Field Support,Cartographic Section, United Nations.