Banikoara
Banikoara | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 11°18′N 2°26′E / 11.300°N 2.433°E | |
| Country | Benin |
| Department | Alibori Department |
| Area | |
| 4,383 km2 (1,692 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Population (2013) | |
| 248,621 | |
| • Density | 57/km2 (150/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 28,402 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Postal address | BP: 01 |
| Area code | (+223) 29 |
Banikoara [ba.ni.kwa.ʁa] is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Alibori Department of Benin. It lies 69 kilometers west of Kandi at the heart of the most productive cotton-growing region in Benin. Its name is a Europeanized version of a Bariba phrase meaning "Bani's town", and honors its founder, Bani Gansé.
Banikoara, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy.