Kolda ( ar, كولدا; Wolof: Koldaa) is a city located in southern

Senegal Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...

. It is the capital city of

Kolda Region Kolda is a region of Senegal (regional capitals have the same name as their respective regions). The region is also referred to historically and popularly as Haute Casamance. It's one of the 14 regions of the country and is located in the Sout ...

and

Kolda Department Kolda Department is one of the 45 departments of Senegal, located in the Kolda Region in the centre of the country. Administration The capital settlement of Kolda Department is Kolda. The communes are: Kolda, Dabo is a Japanese hip-hop rap ...

, a region known historically and popularly as Haute

Casamance , settlement_type = Geographical region , image_skyline = Senegal Casamance.png , image_caption = Casamance in Senegal , image_flag = Flag of Casamance.svg , image_shield = , motto ...

History

The name Kolda derives from the name of the city's founder Koly Dado who first created a settlement near the shores of the

Casamance River The Casamance River () flows westward for the most part into the Atlantic Ocean along a path about in length. However, only are navigable. The Casamance is the principal river of the Kolda, Sédhiou, and Ziguinchor Regions in the southern po ...

Administration

Kolda is the chief city of

and of the

Geography

The city is located on National Road 6, also called the "southern route" due to the fact that it goes from

Dakar Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in 2 ...

Ziguinchor Ziguinchor (; wo, Siggcoor ; ar, زيغينكور) is the capital of the Ziguinchor Region, and the chief town of the Casamance area of Senegal, lying at the mouth of the Casamance River. It has a population of over 230,000 (2007 estimate). I ...

through

Tambacounda Tambacounda ( ar, تامباكوندا; Wolof: Tambaakundaa ) is the largest city in eastern Senegal, southeast of Dakar, and is the regional capital of the province of the same name. Its estimated population in 2007 was 78,800. Geography Tam ...

Vélingara Vélingara is a town located in the Kolda Region of Senegal. It is slightly north of the large 48 km Vélingara crater though the structure's impact origin is still unconfirmed.S. Wade, M. Barbieri, J. Lichtenegger (2001The Velingara Circular S ...

and Kolda. Dakar, the capital city of Sénégal, is located 670 kilometers from Kolda. Local administrative districts include Bantanguel, Doumassou, Ndiobène, Sarè Moussa, Gadapara, Sarè Kemo, Sinthiang Tountouroung, Sinthiang Idriss, Escale, Sikilo, and Faraba. Kolda is the main capital of the region incorporating the two departments of Velingara and Fafacourou.

Physical geology and climate

Both vegetation and rainfall are abundant in Kolda. The wet season lasts for five months, from June through October. The dry season begins in November and ends in May. The annual average temperature is 81.9 °F with a maximum of 94.8 °F in April, May and October, and a minimum of 68.7 °F in January and August.

Demographics

As 2002, Kolda's population was 53,921. In 2007, official estimations, numbered the population at 62,258 inhabitants. The majority population is members of the Fula ethnic group. Mandinke and Jola ethnic groups are also present.

Economy

A Center of Zootechniques Research (CRZ) was established in Kolda in 1972. Major crops include cotton, cereals like miley, fonio, peanut and another vegetables. Kolda also has major sheep, cattle, and dairy production. Kolda is abundant in fruits such as mangoes, oranges, and acajou nuts.

Notables

Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara is a Senegalese-Mauritanian Shia religious leader who is known for his work on international development in West Africa. He is one of the primary Shia religious figures in Senegal and West Africa. Early life and famil ...

- Islamic religious leader and founder of international NGO

Mozdahir Mozdahir (also known as the ''Mozdahir International Institute''; French name: Institut Mozdahir International or IMI) is an international non-governmental organization based in Dakar, Senegal. Overview It has branches in different African cou ...

(born in

Darou Hidjiratou Darou Hidjiratou (also spelled Darou Hijratou or Darou Idjiratou) is a village and zone in Bonconto Commune, Bonconto Arrondissement, Vélingara Department of Kolda Region Kolda is a region of Senegal (regional capitals have the same name as ...

)Leichtman, Mara A. 2015. ''Shi'i Cosmopolitanisms in Africa: Lebanese Migration and Religious Conversion in Senegal''. Indiana University Press. *Sidney Toure (poet, actor, activist) *Moriba Pascal Doumbia (educator) *El Hadj Omar Fall (educator) * Mère Henry Ronk (Catholic Mission) - caregiver * Ablaye Diallo (Zal), footballer * Massamba Sambou, football player *, poet * Ablaye Cissoko, Singer, Musician * General * Sada Kane, journalist * Barou Balde, Adjunct Mayor * Bécaye Diop, Minister of State, Minister of the Armed Forces, and Mayor of Kolda

References

{{Coord, 12, 53, N, 14, 57, W, region:SN_type:city, display=title Populated places in Kolda Region Regional capitals in Senegal Casamance River Communes of Senegal