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Tambacounda is the largest city in eastern Senegal, 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Dakar, and is the Regional capital of the province of the same name. Its estimated population in 2007 was 78,800.
[edit] GeographyTambacounda is situated on the sparsely populated sahélien plains of eastern Senegal. Like most of West Africa, the area has two seasons, the rainy season from June to October, characterized by heat, humidity and storms, and the dry season from November to May. Nearby towns include Madina Maboule, Koukari, Yoro Sankoule, Sambadian, Djidje Kounda and Kanderi Niana. [edit] Population and cultureBetween the censuses of 1988 and 2002, Tambacounda grew from 41885 to 67543 inhabitants. In 2007, according to official estimates, the population reached 78800 persons. Settled first by Mandike peoples on the outskirts of the Mali Empire, on the regular transhumance routes of Fula cattle herders, and settled again by Wolof farmers in the early 20th century, Tambacounda has a mix of most of the ethnic groups in Senegal. The Tambacounda region is famous for its rich djembe and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900's, bringing with them their history, knowledge, and secrets of the djembe. Among the famous musicians from Tambacounda is drummer Abdoulaye Diakite. [edit] ReligionAs with most of Senegal, the population is overwhelmingly Muslim, with much of the Wolof population in the region tracing their roots to Mouride sufi adherents who were given wild grassland by the brotherhood to clear and settle at the beginning of the 20th century. There is a Roman Catholic Diocese of Tambacounda, but only %1.8 of the population of the region are Roman Catholic. [edit] Transport hubHistorically, the city grew from a village along the Dakar – Bamako railway, built in the colonial period, and still used today. A branchline junctioning from this station is proposed to serve Kédougou. The city lies on the N1 and N7 roads. As a part of the Trans-Sahelian Highway system, these are critical for traffic going between the Kayes Region of Mali and the coastal regions of Sénégal (Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis): the most densely populated parts of both these nations. This east - west travel intersects with Senegal's most important route from Dakar to the Casamance region, which is cut off by Gambia. Slow river ferries, border posts, and corrupt border guards mean that many Senegalese are willing to travel far out of their way to avoid the international border. With the 2002 sinking of the MV Joola ferry from Dakar to Ziguinchor, the road through Tambacounda has been the only internal route between the two parts of the country. The town also has an airport, Tambacounda Airport, serviced by national and international flights.  [edit] AgricultureTambacounda is also a center for agricultural processing, with millet, sorgum, maize and cotton grown in the dry plains of the region. Sodefitex operates a large cotton processing plant in the town. [edit] HistoryTambacounda was a Mandike town and trade center at the beginning of French colonialisation. With the railway came more intensive cultivation of grains and cotton by Wolof peoples seeking airable land. French colonialists made the town a major transport center, and a number of buildings, including the rail station retain the colonial flavor. [edit] AdministrationTambacounda is the capital of Tambacounda Department (which includes three administrative regions) and the large Tambacounda Region. Souty Touré, the current mayor, was formerly a government minister under Abdou Diouf, and was the founder of the Parti socialiste authentique (PSA) political party. The PSA has only one seat in the legislature, and Tambacounda is its political base. [edit] Sites of interestThe Niokolo-Koba National Park lies just to the south of the town, and is famed for its wildlife. In 2003, the Iron framed rail station, the Hôtel de la Gare and the colonial Préfecture building were placed on Senegal's list of Monuments historiques[1]. [edit] Sister cities
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[edit] Bibliography
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