The influence of the W forms the basis of the mythic and historic roots of the peoples inhabiting the basin of the river Niger.

410.000 inhabitants live in the surrounding of the W transfrontier Park

10 major ethnic groups - more than 1050 villages, hamlets and camps with a anual population growth of 3%.

Archeological Sites, especially stone relicts of "royal" sepultures and sacred places testify of a continous inhabitation by men for about 200.000 years.

Socio-economical activities: cultivation of traditional foods, cash cropping of coton, animal husbandry, hunting and apiculture