Katsina

Katsina
Gobarau Minaret
Nickname(s): KT
Katsina Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 12°59′N 7°36′E / 12.983°N 7.600°ECoordinates: 12°59′N 7°36′E / 12.983°N 7.600°E
Country	Nigeria
State	Katsina State
established	1987
Government
• Chairman	Hamisu Gambo
• Emir	Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman
Area
• Total	142 km^2 (55 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Total	318,459
3-digit postal code prefix	820
ISO 3166 code	NG.KT.KA

Katsina is a city (formerly a city-state), and a Local Government Area in northern Nigeria, and is the capital of Katsina State.^[1] Katsina is located some 260 kilometres (160 mi) east of the city of Sokoto, and 135 kilometres (84 mi) northwest of Kano, close to the border with Niger. As of 2007, Katsina's estimated population was 459,022.^[2] The exact population of Katsina will be found in the incoming 2016 Nigerian Census. The city is the centre of an agricultural region producing groundnuts, cotton, hides, millet and guinea corn,^[1] and also has mills for producing peanut oil and steel. The city is largely Muslim and the population of the city is mainly from the Fulani and Hausa ethnic groups.

Former Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua was a nobleman of Katsina.

Katsina Emirate

The Katsina Royal Palace ‘Gidan Korau’ is a huge complex located in the centre of the ancient city. It is a symbol of culture, history and traditions of ‘Katsinawa’. According to historical account, it was built in 1348 AD by Muhammadu Korau who is believed to be the first Muslim King of Katsina. This explains why it is traditionally known as ‘Gidan Korau’ (House of Korau). It is one of the oldest and among the first generation Palaces in Hausaland. The rest are that of Daura, Kano and Zazzau. The Palace was encircled with a rampart ‘Ganuwar Gidan Sarki’ (which is now extinct). The main gate which leads to the Palace is known as ‘Kofar Soro’while the gate at the backyard is called ‘Kofar Bai’ (now extinct). The Emir’s residential quarters which is the epicenter of the Palace, is a large compound built in the typical Hausa traditional architecture.^[3] The Current Emir of Katsina is Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.

Local governments

Katsina State has 34 local governments. The local government area of Katsina is an area of 142 km², with a population of 318,459 at the 2006 census.

The postal code of the area is 820.^[4]

History

The Emir of Katsina, Muhammad Dikko dan Gidado, and other officials, 1911

Livestock market in Katsina, 1911

Surrounded by city walls 21 kilometres (13 mi) in length, Katsina is believed to have been founded circa 1100.^[1] In pre-Islamic times, Katsina's semi-divine ruler was known as the Sarki, who faced a summary death-sentence if found to be ruling incompetently. From the 17th to the 18th century, Katsina was the commercial heart of Hausaland and became the largest of the seven Hausa city-states. Katsina was conquered by the Fulani during the Fulani War in 1807. In 1903, the Emir, Abubakar dan Ibrahim, accepted British rule, which continued until Nigerian independence from Britain in 1960.

During sub-Saharan trade, the city of Katsina was known to be one of the most vibrant and strong commercial centres, and was believed to be the strongest with the Hausa kingdoms in terms of commerce, trade and craft. The German explorer Friedrich Hornemann reached Katsina, the first Westerner to do so, at the beginning of the 19th century.

The city's history of western-style education dates back to the early 1950s, when the first middle school in all of northern Nigeria was established. There are now several institutions of higher learning, including two universities: Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and the private Katsina University. The city of Katsina is also home to a famous 18th-century mosque featuring the Gobarau Minaret, a 15-metre (50 ft) tower made from mud and palm branches.^[1]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Katsina has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "Bsh" on climate maps.^[5]

Climate data for Katsina
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	23 (73)	27 (81)	31 (87)	33 (92)	33 (92)	32 (89)	28 (83)	27 (81)	29 (84)	29 (85)	27 (80)	24 (75)	28.6 (83.5)
Average low °C (°F)	21 (70)	22 (72)	27 (80)	30 (86)	29 (85)	29 (85)	26 (79)	24 (76)	26 (78)	26 (79)	23 (73)	19 (67)	25.2 (77.5)
Average precipitation cm (inches)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.5 (0.2)	4.6 (1.8)	8.1 (3.2)	17.5 (6.9)	25.7 (10.1)	11.7 (4.6)	0.8 (0.3)	0 (0)	0 (0)	68.9 (27.1)
Source: Weatherbase [6]

References

1. Katsina The Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
2. "The World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on December 10, 2012.. Retrieved February 20, 2007
3. "KATSINA EMIRATE COUNCIL".. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
4. "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
5. Climate Summary for Katsina
6. "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Katsina, Nigeria". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.