Atakora is the northwestern department of Benin, bordering Togo to the West and Burkina Faso to the North. Also, it borders the departments of Alibori, Borgou, and Donga. It is the most mountanous region of Benin, and the birth place of the president, Mathieu Kérékou. It is a much drier area of the country than the south, with 3 major seasons, a aainy season that runs from May or June to September or October, a Harmattan season of cool, dry winds that runs from October or November to February, and a hot, Famine season that runs from February to April.

Major towns in the Atakora include Djougou, Natitingou and Tanguietta, and famous sites to visit include the Tata Somba houses, the Pendjari National Park, and various wateralls