Atakora (also spelled Atacora, named for the Atakora Mountains) is the northwesternmost department of Benin. Externally it borders Togo to the west and Burkina Faso to the north; internally it borders the departments of Alibori, Borgou and Donga. Major towns in the Atakora include Natitingou and Tanguiéta, and the major tourist areas include the Tata Somba houses, Pendjari National Park, and various waterfalls. The department of Atakora was bifurcated in 1999, with its southern territory removed to form the newly created Donga Department. The capital of Atakora Department is Natitingou, which lies among the Atakora Mountains.
, the total population of the department was 772,262, with 380,448 males and 391,814 females. The proportion of women was 50.70%. The total rural population was 62.80%, while the urban population was 37.20%. The total labour force in the department was 170,333, of which 27.20% were women. The proportion of households with no level of education was 72.80%.
Geography
250px|thumb|left|[[Unpaved road in Atakora, near the border with Togo]]
Atakora Department is located in the northwest of Benin, bordering Burkina Faso to the north, Alibori Department and Borgou Department to the east, Donga Department to the south and Togo to the west. The terrain is mainly forested mountains, from which two tributaries of the Niger River - the Mékrou River and the Pendjari River - originate. Part of the Atakora Mountain Range is located in the region and continues into northeastern Togo. The mountain range is characterised by numerous dambo areas (shallow wetlands) and head swamps. The bulk of the Pendjari National Park lies within Atakora.
The northern regions of Benin receive one season of rainfall from May to September, compared to the southern regions which receive two spells of rain from March to July and September to November. Harmattan winds blow from the northeast during the months of December to March. The country receives an average annual rainfall of around .
Settlements
Natitingou is the departmental capital; other major settlements include Boukoumbé, Birni, Firou, Kouandé, Péhunco, Porga, Tanguiéta and Toucountouna.