The Northern Region is one of the Regions in Ghana and it used to have a landmass of 70,383 square kilometers, rendering it the country’s largest region in terms of land area until December 2018 when the Savannah Region and North East Region were created from it. The Northern Region is divided into 16 districts and the Region boasts of eleven ordinary districts, a metropolitan district, and four municipal districts.
It has one of Ghana’s lowest population densities, at 35 people per square kilometer. Because of its proximity to the Sahara and Sahel deserts, the Northern Region is drier than the country’s southern regions.
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Brief History Of The Northern Region
Through out the 1940s, the Northern Territories comprised the whole northern half of Ghana. It included Togoland’s Northern Section and the Krachi District.
The Northern Section of Togoland became the Northern Region of Ghana after Ghana’s independence in 1952. Several districts were constructed by the political institutions of the time to make it easier for them to administer. Initially, there were 14 districts in the Northern Region but has since risen to 16.
The common religion of affiliation in the region is Islam.
Tourist Attractions In The Northern Region
Ghana’s northern region is known for its diverse heritage and agricultural activities that drive lots of tourists to explore the landscape.
- Naa Gbewaa Palace, Yendi
- Saakpoli Slaves wells
- Diarre Napagaduungbanani
- Naa Binbegu Boabab Tree, Yendi
- Buntaga Irrigation Dam
- Sabali (River Oti)
- Nawuni River (White Volta)
Climate And Vegetation
Guinea Savanna grassland covers the Northern Region. Grassland dominates the landscape, particularly savanna with clusters of drought-resistant plants like baobabs and acacias. The dry season lasts from January through March. The rainy season lasts roughly from July to December, with yearly rainfall ranging from 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The hottest days are at the conclusion of the dry season, and the coldest are in December and January. Between December and the beginning of February, meanwhile, the scorching Harmattan wind from the Sahara blows frequently. Temperatures can range from 14 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) at night to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the day.
Below are the Districts in Northern Region and Their Capitals
| NUMBER | DISTRICT | CAPITAL |
| 1 | Tamale Metropolitan | Tamale |
| 2 | Karaga | Karaga |
| 3 | Kpandai | Kpandai |
| 4 | Kumbungu | Kumbungu |
| 5 | Mion | Sang |
| 6 | Nanton | Nanton |
| 7 | Nanumba North | Bimbilla |
| 8 | Nanumba South | Wulensi |
| 9 | Saboba | Saboba |
| 10 | Sagnarigu | Sagnarigu |
| 11 | Savelugu | Savelugu |
| 12 | Gushegu | Gushegu |
| 13 | Tatale Sangule | Tatale |
| 14 | Tolon | Tolon |
| 15 | Yendi Municipal District | Yendi |
| 16 | Zabzugu | Zabzugu |