Toucountouna

{{Infobox settlement   |name = Toucountouna |other_name = |native_name =  |nickname = |settlement_type =Commune, arrondissement and town |motto =  |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |pushpin_map = Benin |pushpin_label_position =bottom |pushpin_mapsize = |pushpin_map_caption =Location in Benin  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|Benin}} |subdivision_type1 = Department |subdivision_name1 = Atakora Department |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = | |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Békakoua Tchin-Toya |leader_title1 =  |leader_name1 = |established_title =  |established_date =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =Imperial  |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 =1600  |area_land_km2 =   |population_as_of =2013 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =39779 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title =Ethnicities |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi =  |timezone =WAT |utc_offset = +1 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |coordinates = {{coord|10|29|55|N|1|22|32|E|region:BJ|display=inline}} |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = |elevation_ft =  |postal_code_type =  |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }}

''' Toucountouna ''' {{IPA|fr|tu.kun.tu.na|}} is a town, arrondissement and commune in the Atakora Department of north-western Benin. The commune covers an area of 1600 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 39,779 people.<ref name="Atlasbenin">{{cite web|url=http://atlasbenin.africa-web.org/Atacora/Toucountouna.htm|title=Toucountouna|publisher=Atlas Monographique des Communes du Benin|accessdate=January 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/ybj.html|title=Communes of Benin|publisher=Statoids|accessdate=January 5, 2010}}</ref>

== Geography == Toucountouna lies in the northern part of the Atakora Department. The landscape alternates wooded savanna and gallery forests and is drained by seasonal streams typical of the soudano-guinean climatic zone. The commune is bounded by the communes of Tanguiéta, Natitingou, Kouandé and Boukombé. <ref>{{cite web |title=Monographie des communes des départements de l'Atacora et de la Donga |url=https://developpement.gouv.bj/media/Spat_bj_Monographie%20Atacora%20Donga_03_02.pdf |publisher=Government of Benin (Monograph) |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Administrative divisions == The commune is subdivided into several arrondissements and multiple villages and city quarters as listed in the RGPH-4 village register. Local administrative seats and the list of villages are available in INSAE’s commune dossiers. <ref>{{cite web |title=Cahier Village RGPH4 (2013) — Toucountouna |url=https://instad.bj/images/docs/insae-statistiques/demographiques/population/Effectifs%20de%20la%20population%20des%20villages%20et%20quartiers%20de%20ville%20du%20benin/Cahier%20Village%20RGPH4%202013.pdf |publisher=INSAE |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Population == At the 2013 national census (RGPH-4) the commune recorded 39,779 inhabitants. Population structure, sex ratio and village-level breakdowns are available in INSAE’s RGPH-4 results and in commune monographs. <ref>{{cite web |title=Resultats definitifs RGPH4 (2013) — population by commune |url=https://instad.bj/images/docs/insae-statistiques/demographiques/population/Resultats%20definitifs%20RGPH4.pdf |publisher=INSAE |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== History == Local published monographs (communal and departmental studies) record Toucountouna’s development from pre-colonial settlement patterns to its modern administrative status created during Benin’s decentralisation process; they also document local oral traditions and notable heritage sites. See the departmental monograph for historical notes and bibliography. <ref>{{cite web |title=Monographie des communes des départements de l'Atacora et de la Donga |url=https://developpement.gouv.bj/media/Spat_bj_Monographie%20Atacora%20Donga_03_02.pdf |publisher=Government of Benin |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Economy == The local economy is predominantly agricultural. Main food crops include maize, sorghum, millet and root crops; livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and poultry) is an important complementary activity. Local markets, small trade and artisanal activities contribute to livelihoods. Development plans and monographs identify road works, water access and agricultural value-chain support as priorities. <ref>{{cite web |title=Monographie de la Commune de Toucountouna (example monograph) |url=https://fr.scribd.com/document/657565381/Monographie-de-Toucountouna |publisher=Philippe Tchegnon / Afrique Conseil (monograph) |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Infrastructure and services == === Transport === Roads in the commune are mostly rural and departmental tracks; accessibility can be limited during the rainy season. Departmental investment programmes and rural works include periodic rehabilitation of rural tracks. <ref>{{cite web |title=Monographie des communes des départements de l'Atacora et de la Donga |url=https://developpement.gouv.bj/media/Spat_bj_Monographie%20Atacora%20Donga_03_02.pdf |publisher=Government of Benin |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref> === Water, sanitation and energy === Water supply is provided mainly by boreholes and wells; electrification is concentrated in the main town while rural electrification projects are being rolled out gradually at departmental level. <ref>{{cite web |title=Toukountouna |url=https://decentralisation.gouv.bj/commune/15/toukountouna/ |publisher=Ministry of Decentralisation, Benin |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref> === Education and health === The commune has primary and secondary schools and basic health centres; regional health and nutrition studies include Toucountouna among assessed localities. Service coverage figures and indicators are reported in departmental monographs and INSAE publications. <ref>{{cite web |title=Cahier Village RGPH4 (2013) |url=https://instad.bj/images/docs/insae-statistiques/demographiques/population/Effectifs%20de%20la%20population%20des%20villages%20et%20quartiers%20de%20ville%20du%20benin/Cahier%20Village%20RGPH4%202013.pdf |publisher=INSAE |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Governance == The municipal government is headed by a mayor and a municipal council. According to the Ministry of Decentralisation’s commune profile, the current mayor is Blaise '''Békakoua Tchin-Toya''', elected by the communal council following the 2020 municipal elections. Contact details for the town hall (BP and phone numbers) are published by the Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin (ANCB). <ref>{{cite web |title=Toukountouna |url=https://decentralisation.gouv.bj/commune/15/toukountouna/ |publisher=Ministry of Decentralisation, Benin |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Toucountouna |url=https://www.ancb.bj/index.php/association-2/atacora/toucountouna.html |publisher=Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

== Security == In 2025 several incidents of insecurity were reported in northern Atakora; media reports mention attacks and targeted incidents affecting public infrastructure in parts of the department, including Toucountouna commune. These events have been covered in national and regional press and are reflected in local government security measures. (Use caution and cross-check press reports when adding time-sensitive security details.) <ref>{{cite web |title=Attaque à Toucountouna : des infrastructures publiques incendiées à Kouarfa |url=https://www.afrique-sur7.fr/benin-ce-quon-sait-de-lattaque-de-de-toucountouna |publisher=Afrique-Sur7 |date=19 June 2025 |accessdate=5 November 2025}}</ref>

==See also== *Manafaga

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Communes of Benin Category:Populated places in the Atakora Department Category:Arrondissements of Benin