Area

The district covers a total land size of 200.4km² and shares boundaries with the Savelugu - Nanton Municipality to the north, Tamale Metropolis to the south and east, Tolon District to the west and Kumbungu District to the north-west. Geographically, the district lies between latitudes 9º16’ and 9º 34’ North and longitudes 0º 36’ and 0º 57’ West. Figure 1.1 is a map of the Sagnarigu District.

 Climate

The Sagnarigu District, like many others in the Northern Region, has a single rainy season, usually stretching from May to October, and this period naturally coincides with the farming activities in the district. Annual rainfall average ranges from 600mm to 1100mm, the peak being usually between July and August.

Daily temperatures vary from season to season. During the rainy season, there is high humidity with relatively less sunshine and heavy thunderstorms. The mean day temperatures range from 28ºC (December - mid-April) to about 38ºC (April - June) while the mean night temperatures range from 18ºC (December) to 25ºC (February, March).

The dry season (November – March) is characterized by the dry Harmattan winds; the Harmattan season presents two extreme weather conditions, the extreme dry cold temperature of the early dawns and mornings and the very warm afternoons.

 Drainage and vegetation

The district is poorly endowed with water bodies; this is attributed to the high underground water table. The only natural water bodies are a few seasonal streams which have water during the rainy season and dry up in the dry season. In addition, there are a few dams and dug-outs such as the Kpene and Kanvilli-Kpawumo. These alternative sources of water provide water for animals as well as for domestic use.

The district lies within the Savannah Woodland Region characterized by tree savannah vegetation of varying sizes and density. The major types of tree in the district are dawadawa, nim, acacia, mahogany, and baobab among others.

Soils

The main soil types in the district are sandstone, gravel, mudstone and shale that have weathered into different soil grades. Due to seasonal erosion, soil types emanating from this phenomenon are sand, clay and laterite ochrosols. The availability of these soil types has contributed to rapid real estate development in the area where estate developers have resorted to the use of local building materials such as ‘sea sand’, gravel and clay.