Location and Size

Nanumba North District was created as a separate district in 2004 under LI 1754 when the then Nanumba District was split into two – North and South which covers an area of 1986 sqkm. It is found in the eastern part of the Northern Region and lies between latitudes 8.5o N and 9.25o N and longitude 0.57o E and 0.5o E. it shares boundaries with:
•    Yendi Municipal to the North
•    East Gonja to the West and South-West
•    Nanumba South to the south and East
•    Zabzugu-Tatali to the North, North-East
3,220 square kilometers.

Topology and Drainage

Numerous streams and two major rivers (the Oti and Daka) drain the District. About 145km of the length of Daka lies in the District and it forms the Western boundary with East Gonja District. The Oti River on the other hand, meanders North- South across the eastern part of the District for about 85km. Other notable rivers are the Kumar and Kumbo and their tributaries which occasionally breaks into series of pools during the long dry seasons.

These water bodies provide potentials for source of drinking water, transportation, irrigation development and fishing. The River Oti one of the major tributaries of the Volta has tourism potentials. The main drainage features of the district are River Oti and Dakar. The Oti River has about 85km of its stretch meandering from north to south through the district, while the Dakar River spans 145km of the western boundary with East Gonja District. Other drainage features include Kumbo and Kumar streams, dams and dug-outs, and Jual Gorge designated as a hydroelectric site on the Oti River.

Climate and Vegetation

The District lies entirely in the Tropical Continental climatic zone, characterized by high temperature throughout the year. Temperatures range from 29o C to 41oC. Just like any other part of West Africa, the influence of the wet south west monsoon and the dry North East trade winds. During the harmattan, temperatures can fall as low as 16o C during the night and mornings. Annual rainfall averages 1268mm with most of it falling within six months – April to September. This is the busiest periods for farmers in the District. During this period too, streams overflow their banks and causes wide spread flooding of settlements and farmlands. This has brought some hardships to the people. The rest of the year is virtually dry and fallow period for most farmers. This is the period of wild bushfires, sometimes set usually by the youth to flush out animals from their habitat.

Its vegetation type is the Guinea Savannah with tall grass interspersed with drought and fire-resistant trees. Tree species found are the dawadawa, sheanut, baobab and other fire- resistant trees.

Geology & Soil

Soils are characteristically heavy and dark-coloured. Soil types are the Savannah Ochrosols. Savannah Ochrosols are of alluvial-colluvial origin found mainly along major rivers and drainage courses and are located mid-south through to the north. They are medium textured material, moderately well drained soils suited for a wide range of crops such as cereals, roots and tubers, and legumes.

The savannah Ochrosols are well drained soils with the surface having loamy sand or sand-textured material with good water retention. In the district, these soils are located to the east of the Oti River and the south-west through to the north. Ground water laterites are shallow sandy or loamy soils composed of rock fragments found on the summits of upland areas. They are suitable for forestry and conservation programmes. The district soils are characteristically heavy and dark coloured.