Dabakala Department

Dabakala Department is a department of Hambol Region in Vallée du Bandama District, Ivory Coast. In 2021, its population was 254,430 and its seat is the settlement of Dabakala. The sub-prefectures of the department are Bassawa, Boniérédougou, Dabakala, Foumbolo, Niéméné, Satama-Sokoro, Satama-Sokoura, Sokala-Sobara, Tendéné-Bambarasso, and Yaossédougou. It is the largest department of Ivory Coast by area.

Dabakala Department Département de Dabakala
Department
Location in Ivory Coast. Dabakala Department has retained the same boundaries since its creation in 1974.
Country	Ivory Coast
District	Vallée du Bandama
Region	Hambol
1974	Established as a first-level subdivision via a division of Katiola Dept
1997	Converted to a second-level subdivision
2011	Converted to a third-level subdivision
Departmental seat	Dabakala
Government [1]
• Prefect	Yao Lazaré N'Dri
Area [2]
• Total	9,830 km2 (3,800 sq mi)
Population  (2021 census)[3]
• Total	254,430
• Density	25.9/km2 (67.0/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)

History

Dabakala Department was created in 1974 as a split-off from Katiola Department.^[4]

In 1997, regions were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast; as a result, all departments were converted into second-level subdivisions. Dabakala Department was included in Vallée du Bandama Region.

In 2011, districts were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast. At the same time, regions were reorganised and became second-level subdivisions and all departments were converted into third-level subdivisions. At this time, Dabakala Department became part of Hambol Region in Vallée du Bandama District.