Ansongo
| Ansongo | |
|---|---|
| Commune and town | |
 Ansongo
|
|
| Coordinates: 15°39′34″N 0°30′6″E / 15.65944°N 0.50167°ECoordinates: 15°39′34″N 0°30′6″E / 15.65944°N 0.50167°E | |
| Country |
 Mali
|
| Region | Gao Region |
| Cercle | Ansongo Cercle |
| Area | |
| • Total | 445 km2 (172 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 246 m (807 ft) |
| Population (2009 Census) | |
| • Total | 32,709 |
| • Density | 74/km2 (190/sq mi) |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
Ansongo is a rural commune and small town in the Gao Region of eastern Mali. The town lies on the left bank of the Niger River 90 km south of Gao. It is the administrative center for the surrounding Ansongo Cercle. The commune covers an area of 445 square kilometers and in the 2009 census had a population of 32,709.
Ansongo is located in the southern part of the Gao region. The rural commune of Ansongo was created on 4 November 1996. It covers an area of approximately 445 km2 and is mostly located on the left bank of the Niger River but includes a small area on the right bank. As well as Ansongo, the commune includes the villages of Bazi-Gourma, Bazi-Haoussa, Monzonga, Seyna-Bella and Seyna-Sonrhai. The commune is bordered to the east by the town of Tin-Hama, to the south by the commune of Bourre, to the west by the commune of Tessit and to the north and north east by the communes of Bara and Talataye. The town of Ansongo has 23 councilors representing numerous parties. Directly to the east of the town is the Ansongo-Ménaka animal reserve, which covers an area of more than 4,300,000 acres (1,750,000 hectares).
The climate is sahelian, and is characterized by the alternation of two seasons: a long dry season (October to June) and a short wet season (July to September). The annual rainfall varies between 250 and 350 mm depending on the year. Ansongo may experience major fluctuations in temperature, such as from 15 °C to 45 °C. The commune is overall on a low altitude and the Niger River plays a crucial role in the nature of the commune.
There are two major types of soil in Ansongo, sandy clay soil along the river suitable for growing rice, vegetables and sorghum and the rearing of some livestock and sandy soils that occur in areas away from the river valley, notably the formations of sand dunes between which there are clay depressions. The presence of sand however is sometimes covered by vegetation. Vegetation consists of wooded savanna with dominant species such as acacias, Ziziphus mauritiana and Euphorbia balsamifera.
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Wikipedia