About Maradi
Maradi, the center of Niger's Maradi region, is also the third largest city in the country. This city, which had a population of about 175,000 as of the latest census count in 2008, was founded on a plateau by the French colonial administrators in an effort to avoid the flood disasters that were plaguing more low-lying settlements. The majority of the city's population is part of the Hausa ethnic group, while the rest are friom the Fulani and Tuaregs. Smaller ethnic groups such as Ibo, Yoruba, and other minorities, can also be found among the shopkeepers and small shop owners.
Maradi, the commercial and agricultural center of the Hausa region, is a major merchant city on the canoe route north of Nigeria. Among the places worth seeing in the city include the Dan Kassswa Mosque, the Artisanal Center where traditional handmade products are exhibited and Katsinawa Provincial Chief's Palace.
