# Northern Region, Ghana – Districts, Population & Map

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/

Region · Ghana 

# Northern Region

Northern Region is a region of Ghana. It had an estimated **2,310,939 people** in 2021 on 24,849 km² (about 93 per km²). Its main town is Tamale. It is divided into 16 districts. 1,286 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 635 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 2,310,939people (2021)
- 24,849km²
- 16districts
- 635mapped services

## How many people live in Northern Region?

Northern Region had an estimated **2,310,939 people** in 2021 — 7.5% of Ghana, 5th of 16 regions. There are 1,024 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Ghana figure of 1,028). Spread over 24,849 km², that is about **93 people per km²**, 10th of 16 regions.

43.8% of people are children under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older; the median age is about 18 years (it is 22 across Ghana). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 89 children and older people.

0–4 ****400,182**

5–9 ****350,080**

10–14 ****261,427**

15–19 ****228,357**

20–24 ****224,674**

25–29 ****187,050**

30–34 ****167,642**

35–39 ****123,782**

40–44 ****105,991**

45–49 ****68,211**

50–54 ****54,348**

55–59 ****30,945**

60–64 ****34,338**

65–69 ****19,003**

70–74 ****20,603**

75–79 ****13,872**

80–84 ****12,190**

85–89 ****4,594**

90–94 ****2,322**

95+ ****1,328**

Source: [UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-gha).

## Where is Northern Region?

Northern Region lies in [Ghana](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/). It borders 3 other regions: [Northern East Region](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern-east/), [Oti Region](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/oti/) and [Savannah Region](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/savannah/). By area it is the 2nd largest of 16 regions in Ghana. It covers 10.4% of [Ghana](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/). The centre of Northern Region is about 415 km in a straight line from Accra, the capital. The centre point is at 9.2790° N, 0.0027° E.

Source: [Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-gha).

## Things to see in and around Northern Region

OpenStreetMap lists 16 named sights in Northern Region: 10 castles and forts; 2 caves; 2 monuments; 1 attraction; 1 museum.

- National Culture · museum
- Adupe Chief's Palace · castle or fort
- Bamvim Chief's Palace · castle or fort
- Gbewaa Palace · castle or fort
- Nabogu Chief's Palace · castle or fort
- Pong Tamale Chief Palace · castle or fort
- Sagnarigu Chief Palace · castle or fort
- Somo Wura Palace · castle or fort
- Tibung chief palace · castle or fort
- Tolon Naas Palace · castle or fort
- Zou Naa Palace · castle or fort
- Sagnarigu Forest · attraction
- Goslow · cave
- Our Lady of Announciation · monument
- Yagri Duu Gbini · monument
- goslow · cave

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Northern Region

- Time zoneUTC+0, no daylight saving · Africa/Accra
- CurrencyCedi (GHS)
- Country calling code+233
- LanguagesEnglish, Akan, Ewe, Twi
- Plug typesType G · 230 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format15 characters (@@-###-####|@@-###)

### Nearest airports

- Yakubu Tali International Airport (TML) · Tamale100 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:40) and shortest in Dec (about 11.6 hours, sunrise around 06:07, sunset around 17:42).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:19 17:57 11.6 h 

Feb 06:19 18:09 11.8 h 

Mar 06:07 18:11 12.1 h 

Apr 05:50 18:09 12.3 h 

May 05:39 18:12 12.5 h 

Jun 05:40 18:19 12.7 h 

Jul 05:47 18:24 12.6 h 

Aug 05:51 18:17 12.4 h 

Sep 05:49 18:00 12.2 h 

Oct 05:47 17:43 11.9 h 

Nov 05:53 17:36 11.7 h 

Dec 06:07 17:42 11.6 h 

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-02](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Districts of Northern Region

District People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Tamale Metropolitan](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/tamale-metropolitan/) 374,744 579 648 109 278 

[Sagnerigu](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/sagnerigu/) 341,711 1,705 200 60 180 

[Nanumba North](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/nanumba-north/) 188,680 83 2,262 71 15 

[Yendi Municipal](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/yendi-municipal/) 154,421 107 1,447 40 25 

[Gushegu](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/gushegu/) 153,965 58 2,674 170 5 

[Kpandai](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/kpandai/) 126,213 111 1,133 39 12 

[Savelugu](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/savelugu/) 122,888 79 1,547 92 45 

[Tolon](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/tolon/) 118,101 87 1,354 97 19 

[Karaga](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/karaga/) 114,225 37 3,121 133 10 

[Kumbungu](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/kumbungu/) 110,586 72 1,542 144 7 

[Nanumba South](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/nanumba-south/) 106,374 59 1,789 76 4 

[Saboba](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/saboba/) 95,683 55 1,751 63 19 

[Mion](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/mion/) 94,930 35 2,715 84 4 

[Zabzugu](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/zabzugu/) 82,846 75 1,100 39 1 

[Tatale Sanguli](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/tatale-sanguli/) 74,805 69 1,090 40 6 

[Nanton](https://wherepedia.org/ghana/northern/nanton/) 50,767 106 477 76 5 

Source: [Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-gha); [UNFPA via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-gha).

## Villages and localities in Northern Region

Open gazetteers list **1,286 villages, towns and localities** in Northern Region. The largest with a recorded population: Tamale (464,316), Yendi (64,676), Savelugu (40,654), Bimbila (34,262) and Kpandae (8,652). Settlements here lie between about 81 m and 273 m above sea level (median 156 m).

- Adaayili
- Adayili
- Adayiri
- Addah Fishing Village
- Adibo
- Aduyeli
- Aduyili
- Afa yili
- Afaya
- Afayili
- Agbodito
- Akinajile
- Akonsyili
- Alfayili
- Alfayinga
- Anturo
- Azunkuli
- Bachabordo
- Bachado
- Baduli
- Baduri
- Bagale
- Bagkurli
- Baglahi
- Bagliga
- Bagliga Dakpema Yili
- Bagurugu
- Bahalahi
- Bakpaba
- Bakpoli
- Bakuli
- Bakundiba
- Balahi
- Balai
- Balasi
- Balhalahi
- Bali
- Baliga
- Balinkpeng
- Ballongpiong
- Balo
- Balshei
- Bambea
- Bambuli
- Bamvim
- Banayi
- Banda
- Bandiyili
- Bangmani
- Banjora
- Bankali
- Bankamba
- Bannayili
- Banvum
- Barbia
- Barrayiri
- Bassarekura
- Batanayiri
- Batani
- Batanyili
- Bato
- Bawgo
- Bediako
- Begu
- Begurugu
- Bejim
- Benja
- Betei
- Bienda
- Bihi-naayili
- Bihinaayili
- Bihinayili
- Bilisinga
- Bimbari
- Bimbila
- Bimbilla
- Bimbirooili
- Binalogdo Katajeli
- Binayili
- Bincheratanga
- Binda
- Bindure
- Binpordo
- Binyinkumdo
- Bioyili
- Bisayem
- Bithinayili
- Biwaldo
- Biyemba
- Blachoni
- Bladjai
- Bladjal
- Blahogo
- Blinkpale
- Boashe
- Boayili
- Bodere
- Bofoyili
- Boggo
- Bognayili
- Bogo
- Bogoyili
- Bogu
- Bogupalgu
- Bokurugu
- Bolalagole
- Boma
- Bonboli
- Bondaando
- Bong
- Bong-naayili
- Bongolbu
- Bontansi
- Bora
- Bornaiyili
- Bosenaire
- Bosoni
- Botingli
- Botoyili
- Botrung
- Bruma
- Bugulugu
- Bukpomo
- Bulai
- Bulawn
- Buli
- Bulpiela
- Bulugu
- Bunbonnayili
- Bundure
- Bungbal
- Bungbum
- Bunglung
- Bunlung
- Bunlung-Yapalsi
- Buorupe
- Burumani
- Butoe
- Buya
- Buya New Town
- Chagi No.1
- Chagi No.2
- Chagnayili
- Chakoja
- Chakori
- Chamba
- Changli
- Changnayili
- Chanshegu
- Chansogu
- Chantung
- Chanzegu
- Chanzheni
- Chapalegu
- Chegbani
- Cheggo
- Chehiyili
- Cheko
- Chelli
- Cheogu
- Cheshe
- Cheshegu
- Cheyohi
- Chichagi
- Chichari
- Chifilini
- Chimboni
- Chirifoyili
- Choggu
- Choggu Manayili
- Choo
- D.C. Kura
- Dabokpaa
- Dagago
- Dagbabani
- Dagbandabo Fong
- Dakpam
- Dakpemyili
- Dakrubongo
- Dalardo
- Dallung
- Dalogyili
- Dalun Kukuo
- Damankuyili
- Dambdo
- Damdabole
- Damdu
- Danado
- Danbee
- Dangbe
- Danyo
- Dapali
- Dasang
- Datoyili
- Debla
- Deble
- Degbawa
- Degu
- Dekpunga
- Demankonyili
- Demon
- Denie
- Diari
- Dibulo
- Didjo
- Difa
- Diggu
- Diini
- Dimabi No.3 Yipala
- Dimalla
- Dime
- Dindini
- Dinga
- Dingoni
- Dinyakpaligu
- Dinyogo
- Dipah
- Dipale
- Disiga
- Ditane
- Diziri
- Djagbemba
- Djaguhuga
- Djaleba
- Djimbele
- Djo
- Djonajile
- Djun
- Dobone
- Dogbam
- Dogutetiego
- Dohini
- Dohini-Kukou
- Dokolipe
- Donbeni
- Dondonne
- Dudawge
- Dufa
- Duko
- Dulizugu
- Dulnayinga
- Duna
- Dundo
- Dungu
- Dungwani
- Duni
- Dunjocho
- Dunyin
- Dussani
- Duuni
- Duuyin
- Egambodo
- Ekumdipe
- Fando
- Fanliriba
- Fatelanyili
- Fazehini
- Fazihini
- Fieniti
- Fietole
- Fihini
- Fooshegu
- Foshogo
- Fou
- Fule
- Funga
- Futa
- Ga
- Gaaja
- Gabawni
- Gabogo
- Galabisi
- Galingkpegu
- Galwei
- Gambo
- Gariwe
- Garizegu
- Gbalahi
- Gbalga
- Gbaln
- Gbambu
- Gbanbaya
- Gbandi
- Gbando
- Gbandu
- Gbane
- Gbanga
- Gbangbapon
- Gbanjong
- Gbansogo
- Gbanyemini
- Gbanzogukukuo
- Gbeni
- Gbenjaga
- Gbenjaga-Binduri
- Gbintiri
- Gbogo
- Gbogu
- Gbong
- Gbongbon
- Gbonlua
- Gbrimah
- Gbugli
- Gbulahagu
- Gbulahibila
- Gbulung
- Gbumgbum
- Gbungbalaga
- Gbungbaliga
- Gbungnaayili
- Gburimani
- Genguna
- Giana
- Gieji
- Gienni
- Gindel
- Gingani
- Ginjani
- Gjoe
- Gnani
- Golinga
- Goluri
- Gongonpa
- Gorgu
- Gorugu
- Grusiya
- Gua
- Gula
- Gulnyansi
- Guma
- Gumani
- Gumo
- Gumon
- Gunayiri
- Gunda
- Gundo
- Gundogo
- Gung
- Gungula
- Gunguni
- Guno
- Gunsi
- Guntassi
- Guntingli
- Gupanalgo
- Gupanarigu
- Gure
- Gurugu
- Gurumanchayili
- Guschiegu
- Gushegu
- Gushei
- Gushie
- Guunayili
- Gwalingga
- Gwenshi
- Gwintinli
- Hausa Zong
- Idua
- Ischie
- Jaa
- Jabalpe
- Jaburu
- Jagbojado
- Jagere
- Jagodo
- Jagogo
- Jagrido
- Jaguriyili
- Jakarayili Town
- Jakodo
- Jakpa
- Jaktende
- Jakugu
- Jama Nkwanta
- Jamalega
- Jamo
- Jana
- Janakpeng
- Janjuri
- Jankonyili
- Jankpinhi
- Japara
- Jaragolili
- Jarigu
- Jayemdo
- Jayondo
- Jebo
- Jegbo
- Jegbo Brahogu
- Jegbuni
- Jegiriyili
- Jegun
- Jegun Kukuo
- Jegwa
- Jeji
- Jeji Bonglo
- Jemaka
- Jemaka-Tindon
- Jerba

…and 886 more.

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Northern Region

Named natural and historic features inside Northern Region, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

96 rivers and streams; 4 lakes.

- Bala
- Barabon
- Bassa
- Batua
- Bongwo
- Bulibuli
- Bulugu
- Bumbun
- Bungjele
- Bunje
- Dansama
- Dencheredama
- Ditiri
- Dombon
- Gazeb
- Gbelegu
- Gerecha
- Jumbula
- Kambo
- Kankassi
- Karatam
- Karsa
- Kbongo
- Kersa

…and 76 more.

### Forests and nature

1 forest reserve.

- Tamale Fuelwood Forest Reserves

### Getting around

2 airports.

- Tamale Airport
- Yendi Airport

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Northern Region and the best time to visit

In Northern Region, the warmest month is Mar (average 30 °C) and the coolest is Dec (25 °C). About 1,164 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Sep (212 mm) and the driest Dec (2 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **November to January**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 25 4 

Feb 29 13 

Mar 30 46 

Apr 29 92 

May 28 126 

Jun 27 148 

Jul 26 183 

Aug 26 190 

Sep 26 212 

Oct 27 131 

Nov 27 18 

Dec 25 2 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Northern Region

Places mapped inside Northern Region in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals39
- Banks46
- ATMs6
- Petrol pumps115
- Hotels55
- Shopping malls2
- Schools249
- Colleges and universities19
- Pharmacies42
- Restaurants54
- Police stations8

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Northern Region?In Ghana
- What is the population of Northern Region?2,310,939 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Northern Region?About 18 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Northern Region?About 93 people per km²
- What borders Northern Region?Northern East Region, Oti Region and Savannah Region
- What is there to see in Northern Region?Adupe Chief's Palace, Bamvim Chief's Palace, Gbewaa Palace, Goslow
- What time zone is Northern Region in?UTC+0
- What currency is used in Northern Region?Cedi (GHS)
- What language is spoken in Northern Region?English, Akan, Ewe (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Northern Region?1,286 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Northern Region?Settlements lie between 81 m and 273 m
- What is the best time to visit Northern Region?November to January
- How many hospitals are in Northern Region?39 mapped
- How many banks are in Northern Region?46 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Northern Region?6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Northern Region?115 mapped
- What is the P-code of Northern Region?GH08 (OCHA common operational dataset)