Kolda


Kolda is a city and urban commune located in southern Senegal. It is the capital city of Kolda Region and Kolda Department, a region known historically and popularly as Haute Casamance.

History

The name Kolda derives from the name of the city's founder Koly Dado who first established a settlement near the banks of the Casamance River.

Administration

Kolda is the chief city of Kolda Department and of the Kolda Region.

Geography

The city is located on National Road 6, also called the "southern route" due to the fact that it goes from Dakar to Ziguinchor through Tambacounda, Vélingara 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.

Climate

Kolda has a tropical savanna climate with two distinct seasons. The wet season lasts for five months, from June through October, while the dry season begins in November and ends in May.
Temperatures are hot to sweltering throughout the year. The annual average temperature is, with a maximum of in May and a minimum of in December. Afternoons in the latter half of the dry season are extremely hot, averaging over from March to May. However, in the middle of the dry season mornings are distinctly comfortable at around.

Demographics

As of 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 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.

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