Agadez

Agadez

Agadez, formerly spelled Agadès, is the fifth largest city in Niger, with a population of 110,497 based on the 2012 census. The historic centre of the town has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city was founded before the 14th century, and, by growing around trans-Saharan trade, gradually became the most important city of the Tuareg people.

About Agadez in brief

Summary AgadezAgadez, formerly spelled Agadès, is the fifth largest city in Niger, with a population of 110,497 based on the 2012 census. The historic centre of the town has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city was founded before the 14th century, and, by growing around trans-Saharan trade, gradually became the most important city of the Tuareg people. In 1449 Agadez became a sultanate, but was later conquered by the Songhai Empire in 1515, remaining a part of that empire until 1591.

Some contend that AgadeZ was the furthermost extent of the Ottoman Empire on the Africa until the 19th century. A rebellion by Kaocen Ag Mohammed occurred in 1916 but was defeated by French forces. The French, unable to effectively administer this remote region, ruled semi-indirectly via a restored sultan. The entire region was placed under a Nigerien government State of Exception in October 2007.