Katsina, likely from "Tamashek" (meaning son or blood) or mazza (men) with "inna" (mother)[1] is a Local Government Area and the capital city of Katsina State, in northern Nigeria.[2]
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 Republic, in 2016, Katsina's estimated population was estimated at 429,000.[3]
The city is the centre of an agricultural region production of groundnuts, cotton, hides, millet and guinea corn[2] and also has mills for producing peanut oil and steel, it was also a center for large scale poultry farming of cows, goats, sheep and chickens.
The city has a largely Muslim population, mainly from the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups.[4]
Surrounded by city wall 21 kilometres (13 mi) in length, Katsina is believed to have been founded circa 1100.[2] 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.[citation needed]
The city's history of western-style education dates back to the early 1950s, when the first middle school in northern Nigeria was established (Katsina Teachers College). There are now several institutions of higher learning, including two universities: Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and the private Alqalam University, a polytechnic Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic and a Federal College of Education, Katsina. The city of Katsina is also home to an 18th-century mosque featuring the Gobarau Minaret, a 15-metre (50 ft) tower made from mud and palm branches.[2]
The Katsina Royal Palace, known as Gidan Korau, is a huge complex located in the centre of the ancient city.[5] It is a symbol of culture, history and traditions of 'Katsinawa'. According to historical account, it was built in 1348 CE by Muhammadu Korau, who is believed to have been 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, along with Daura, Kano and Zazzau. The palace was encircled with a rampart, 'Ganuwar Gidan Sarki' (which is now gone). The main gate which leads to the palace is known as 'Kofar Soro', while the gate at the backyard is called 'Kofar Bai' (now gone). The Emir's residential quarters at the epicenter of the Palace is a large compound built in the typical traditional architectural style.[6]
There are mainly two Religions existing in katsina, which are;
Katsina State has 34 local governments. The local governments area of Katsina is an area of 142 km2, with a population of 429,000 as of 2016. The local government are as follows:
Source: Katsina culture and history board, office of the surveyor of Katsina State.[7]
The postal code of the area is 820.[8]
Katsina city is well known for years as a CRADLE OF LEARNING, there have been in existence Islamic Schools and other centres of scholarship as far back 14th century, below are the names of high institution found in the city.
The state's economy will be developed based on agriculture and solid minerals exploitation to create jobs and wealth through the utilization and mobilization of natural and human resources.[14]
The capital of Katsina Emirate, Katsina, is situated 7 miles south of the Niger border in northern Nigeria. With over 500,000 people, Katsina is a major hub for the manufacturing of steel, textiles, and agricultural products. The city is home to a diversified cultural life as well as intriguing architecture, like as mosques and historic city walls.[15][16][17][18]
Desertification, caused by climate change and human activities, poses a significant environmental challenge in Katsina State, affecting socio-economic life and hindering basic human needs.[19]
Water went away in Katsina City during a flood, causing two people to be swept away from their homes in the nearby town of Sabon Ungwa.[20][21][22]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Katsina has a hot semi-arid climate, abbreviated BSh on climate maps.[23]
Katsina State usually record zero average rainfall from November to March; 1, 9 and 41 mm (0.04, 0.35 and 1.61 in) in April, May and June respectively; and 85, 119, 40 and 8 mm (3.35, 4.69, 1.57 and 0.31 in) for the months of July, August, September and October.[16]
The table below shows record of rainfall from 1990 to 2019 obtained from Nimet Katsina.
Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina 2021.
Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or place.
The temperature of Katsina is usually high, with April having the hottest average high temperature of 40.8 °C or 105.4 °F while December having the mildest average high temperature of 31.4 °C or 88.5 °F.[16]
The table below contains the highest temperature each month from 1985 to 2017.
Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina, 2021
January is usually the coldest month of the year in Katsina having the lowest average low temperatures of 14.7 °C or 58.5 °F.[16]
Source: Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Katsina 2021
Media related to Katsina at Wikimedia Commons