Kolda, Senegal

🇸🇳 Kolda (Arabic: كولدا; Wolof: Koldaa) is a city 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 created a settlement near the shores 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.

The communes of Kolda Department are: Kolda, Dabo, Salikégné and Saré Yoba Diéga

The rural districts (Communautés rurales) comprise: • Arrondissement of Dioulacolon: ◦ Guiro Yéro Bocar; ◦ Dioulacolon; ◦ Tankanto Escale; ◦ Médina El Hadj • Arrondissement de Mampatim: ◦ Dialambéré; ◦ Médina Chérif; ◦ Mampatim; ◦ Bagadadji; ◦ Coumbacara; • Arrondissement de Saré Bidji: ◦ Thiétty; ◦ Saré Bidji.

Kolda region is divided into three departments: • Kolda Département; • Médina Yoro Foulah Département; • Vélingara Département.

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.

Geography: 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.

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.