Kolda

{{more citations needed|date=January 2016|status=hasaref}} {{Infobox settlement    |official_name = Kolda |other_name = كولدا |native_name =  |nickname = |settlement_type = City and commune |total_type = City and commune |motto =  |image_skyline = File:Kolda-bradybd.jpg |imagesize = 250 |image_caption = Kolda town centre market |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map =  |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =Senegal  |pushpin_label_position =  |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize =  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{SEN}} |subdivision_type1 = Region |subdivision_name1 = Kolda |subdivision_type2 = Department |subdivision_name2 = Kolda  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Mame Boye Diao |leader_title1 =  |leader_name1 = |established_title =  |established_date =  |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =  |area_footnotes = <ref name="pop"/> |area_total_km2 = 39.24 |area_land_km2 =  |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent =  |population_as_of = 2023 census |population_footnotes = <ref name="pop">[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/senegal/mun/admin/kolda/SN07015100__kolda/ Citypopulation.de] Population and area of Kolda Commune</ref> |population_note = |population_total = 103574 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi =  |timezone = GMT |utc_offset = +0 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |coordinates = {{coord|12|53|N|14|57|W|region:SN|display=inline}} |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = 34 |elevation_ft = 100  |postal_code_type =  |postal_code = |area_code = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Kolda''' ({{langx|ar|كولدا}}; Wolof: Koldaa) 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 (Köppen ''Aw'') 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 {{convert|28.7|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}, with a maximum of {{convert|32.5|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in May and a minimum of {{convert|24.8|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in December. Afternoons in the latter half of the dry season are extremely hot, averaging over {{convert|40|°C|°F|disp=or}} from March to May. However, in the middle of the dry season mornings are distinctly comfortable at around {{convert|15|°C|°F|disp=or}}.

{{Weather box | width = auto | metric first = yes | single line = yes | location = Kolda (1991–2020) | Jan high C = 35.5 | Feb high C = 38.0 | Mar high C = 40.4 | Apr high C = 41.5 | May high C = 40.8 | Jun high C = 37.2 | Jul high C = 33.4 | Aug high C = 32.3 | Sep high C = 32.9 | Oct high C = 34.5 | Nov high C = 35.7 | Dec high C = 35.0 | year high C = 36.4

| source = NOAA<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web |url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Senegal/CSV/Kolda_61698.csv |title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Kolda |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date =9 January 2024}}</ref> (sun 1961-1990)<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-I/SG/61698.TXT |title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1961-1990: Kolda |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = 4 August 2024}}</ref> }}

==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 (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.

==Notable people== {{More citations needed section|date=November 2025}} *Tapa Diao, cultural and political leader, former senator of Kolda in the National Assembly *Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara, Islamic religious leader and founder of international NGO Mozdahir (born in Darou Hidjiratou)<ref>Leichtman, Mara A. 2015. ''Shi'i Cosmopolitanisms in Africa: Lebanese Migration and Religious Conversion in Senegal''. Indiana University Press.</ref> *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 *{{ill|Souleymane Diamanka|fr|Souleymane Diamanka}}, poet * Ablaye Cissoko, Singer, Musician * General {{ill|Ameth Fall (general)|fr|Ameth Fall (General)|lt=Ameth Fall}} * Sada Kane, journalist * Barou Balde, Adjunct Mayor *Bécaye Diop, Minister of State, Minister of the Armed Forces, and Mayor of Kolda

*Cheikh Sabaly, Footballer

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|12|53|N|14|57|W|region:SN_type:city|display=title}}

Category:Kolda Category:Populated places in Kolda region Category:Regional capitals in Senegal Category:Casamance River Category:Communes of Senegal