[2] Part of the Atakora Mountain Range is located in the region and continues into northeastern Togo.

[3] The mountain range is characterised by numerous dambo areas (shallow wetlands) and head swamps.

The northern regions of Benin receive one season of rainfall from May to September, compared to the southern regions which receive two spells of rain from March to July and September to November.

[5] Natitingou is the departmental capital; other major settlements include Boukoumbé, Birni, Firou, Kouandé, Péhunco, Porga, Tanguiéta and Toucountouna.

[6] The main ethnolinguistic groups in the Department are the Tammari (also known as the Betammaribe, or Somba), Waama and Dendi people.

Other groups include the Bariba, Biali, Chakosi (also known as Anufo), Gurma, Lama, Mbelime, Nateni, Ngangam, Notre, Miyobe and Yom.

[9] Atakora is subdivided into nine communes, each centred at one of the principal towns: Boukoumbé, Cobly, Kérou, Kouandé, Matéri, Natitingou, Pehonko, Tanguiéta and Toucountouna.

A law passed in 1999 transformed the sous-prefectures, the lowest level of territorial administration, into local governments.

[9] Municipalities and communal councils have elected representatives who manage the administration of the regions.