# Gaoua

> city in Burkina Faso

**Wikidata**: [Q1011882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1011882)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaoua)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gaoua

## Summary
Gaoua is a city located in the Poni Province of Burkina Faso. It serves as the capital of both the Poni Province and the locality of Djôrô. With a population that has grown significantly over several decades, reaching 45,189 residents in the 2019 census, it functions as a distinct administrative and human settlement within the region.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Gaoua is classified as a city, defined as a large human settlement.
- **Location**: The city is situated in the Poni Province within Burkina Faso.
- **Capital Status**: It acts as the capital of Poni Province and the capital of Djôrô.
- **Population Growth**:
  - 1985: 10,657 (Census)
  - 1996: 16,424 (Census)
  - 2006: 25,104 (Census)
  - 2019: 45,189 (Census)
- **Coordinates**: 10.316666666667 latitude, -3.1666666666667 longitude.
- **Elevation**: 339 metres above sea level.
- **International Relations**: The city is twinned with Fontenay-le-Comte.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 135011407; Geonames ID 2360620; Library of Congress Authority ID n92026835.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Gaoua?**
Gaoua is located in the southern part of Burkina Faso, specifically within the Poni Province. It sits at an elevation of 339 metres above sea level.

**How has the population of Gaoua changed over time?**
The city has experienced consistent population growth over three decades. The population rose from 10,657 in 1985 to 45,189 in 2019, according to census data.

**What administrative role does Gaoua serve?**
Gaoua serves a dual administrative function, acting as the capital city for both the Poni Province and the locality known as Djôrô.

## Why It Matters
Gaoua represents a significant demographic and administrative hub within Burkina Faso. Its rapid population growth—more than quadrupling between 1985 and 2019—highlights its increasing importance as a center for settlement and regional governance in the Poni Province. The city maintains a digital and international presence through various global identifiers and a town twinning relationship with Fontenay-le-Comte, connecting it to broader cultural and administrative networks.

## Notable For
- **Rapid Demographic Growth**: The city's population increased by over 400% between the 1985 and 2019 censuses.
- **Dual Capital Status**: It serves as the administrative capital for two distinct entities: the Poni Province and Djôrô.
- **Global Identifiers**: The city is indexed in major international databases including VIAF, GeoNames, BBC Things, and the Library of Congress.
- **Multilingual Coverage**: The entity is documented across 28 different Wikipedia language editions, including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Gaoua is a city (instance of a large human settlement) located in the Poni Province of Burkina Faso. Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 10.316666666667 and longitude -3.1666666666667. The city sits at an elevation of 339 metres above sea level. Administratively, Gaoua holds a significant status as the capital of the Poni Province and is also designated as the capital of Djôrô.

### Demographics
The city has demonstrated consistent population growth across four national censuses. In 1985, the recorded population was 10,657. This figure increased to 16,424 by 1996 and further to 25,104 by 2006. The most recent census data from 2019 indicates a population of 45,189, reflecting a substantial expansion of the resident population over a 34-year period.

### International Relations
Gaoua maintains a municipal partnership through a "twinning" arrangement. The city is officially twinned with Fontenay-le-Comte, a relationship that links it with a counterpart municipality.

### Digital and Academic Presence
Gaoua is extensively cataloged across various knowledge bases and academic repositories. It has a presence on Wikimedia Commons, categorized under "Gaoua," and features a main street image banner. The city is referenced in 29 sitelinks across various Wikimedia projects.

**Identifiers and Cataloging**:
- **VIAF ID**: 135011407 (Virtual International Authority File)
- **Geonames ID**: 2360620
- **BBC Things ID**: b9d8017f-46f7-4a2a-b0f3-afc9c3a59964
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n92026835
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007567605205171
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04xzh4
- **Who's on First ID**: 890444527
- **Snarc ID**: Düren district

### Linguistic and Aliases
The city is known by various names internationally, including the aliases "ガウア" (Japanese) and "Гава" (Russian). It is the subject of Wikipedia articles in 28 languages, including major languages such as English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, and Russian, among others.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. BBC Things
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File