Vélingara Department is one of the 46

departments of Senegal The 14 regions of Senegal are subdivided into 46 departments and 103 arrondissements (neither of which have administrative function) and by ''collectivités locales'' (the 14 ''régions'', 110 ''communes'', and 320 ''communautés rurales'') whic ...

, one of the three making up the Kolda Region in the Upper

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

Administration

The department has three communes: Vélingara (the capital town), Kounkané and Diaobé-Kabendou. The rural districts (Communautés rurales) comprise: * Bonconto Arrondissement ** Bonconto (Bonkonto) ** Linkéring ** Médina Gounass ** Sinthiang Koundara * Pakour Arrondissement ** Pakour ** Paroumba ** Ouassadou * Saré Coly Sallé Arrondissement, created in 2008 ** Saré Coly Sallé ** Kandia ** Kandiaye ** Némataba

Population

In the December 2002 census, the population was 189,742. In 2005, it was estimated at 206,547 people.

Historical site

* Village of Payoungou, arrondissement of Pakour

Notable people

* Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara, founder of the NGO Mozdahir International InstituteDiop, Macoumba (2013)
L'introduction du chiisme au Sénégal
In ''Histoire, monde et cultures religieuses'' 2013/4 (n° 28), pages 63-77.

References

Departments of Senegal Kolda Region {{Senegal-geo-stub