Tambacounda 1606272 209279471 2008-04-30T18:23:10Z T L Miles 1752696 /* Transport hub */ {{Infobox Settlement <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |name =Tambacounda <!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in --> |official_name = |other_name = |native_name = <!-- if different from the English name --> |nickname = |settlement_type =[[List of cities in Senegal|Commune]] <!--such as Town, Village, City, Borough etc.--> |total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows --> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline =TambacoundaHouse.jpg |imagesize = 200px |image_caption = Rural housing near Tambacounda |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Tambacounda arrondissements.png |mapsize = |map_caption = arrondissements of the Tambacounda department |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =Senegal <!-- name of a location map as per Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption =Location within Senegal |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{SEN}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Senegal|Region]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Tambacounda Region]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Departments of Senegal|Departement]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Tambacounda Department|Tambacounda]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government --> |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style = <!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format) Default is list if up to 5 items, coll if more than 5--> |parts = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list --> |p1 = |p2 = <!-- etc. up to p50: for separate parts to be listed--> <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =Mayor |leader_name =[[Souty Touré]] |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title1 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date1 = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |founder = |named_for = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink --> |unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric--> |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = <!-- ALL fields with measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_dunam = <!--Used in Middle East articles only--> |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Elevation --------------------------> |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = 24 |elevation_ft = |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of =2007 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =78800 |population_density_km2 = <!--For automatic calculation, any density field may contain: auto --> |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |utc_offset = +0 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = | coor_type =region:SN_type:city <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to --> |latd=13 |latm=46 |lats=8 |latNS=N |longd=13 |longm=40 |longs=2 |longEW=W <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |twin1 = |twin1_country = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |blank2_name = |blank2_info = |blank3_name = |blank3_info = |blank4_name = |blank4_info = |blank5_name = |blank5_info = |blank6_name = |blank6_info = |website = [http://sip.sn/tambacounda/ http://sip.sn/tambacounda] |footnotes = }} '''Tambacounda''' is the largest city in eastern [[Senegal]], {{convert|250|mi|km|lk=on}} south east of [[Dakar]], and is the Regional capital of the province of the same name. it's estimated population in 2007 was 78,800. ==Geography== Tambacounda is situated on the sparsely populated [[Sahel|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. ==Population and culture== Between the censuses of [[1988]] and [[2002]], Tambacounda grew from 41885 to 67543 inhabitants. In [[2007]], according to official estimates, la population reached 78800 persons. Settled first by [[Mandinka people|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 [[Languages of Senegal|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]]. ==Religion== As with most of Senegal, the population is overwhelmingly [[Islam in Senegal|Muslim]], with much of the Wolof population in the region tracing their roots to [[Mouride]] [[sufi]] adherents who were given wild grassland by [[Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal|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]]. ==Transport hub== Historically, 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 road (Senegal)|N1]] and [[N7 road (Senegal)|N7 road]]s. 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, Senegal|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 outr 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. [[Image:TambacoundaCows.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A farm near Tambacounda.]] ==Agriculture== Tambacounda 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. ==History== Tambacounda was a [[Mandinka people|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. ==Administration== Tambacounda is the capital of [[Tambacounda Department]] (which includes three Arrondissements) and the large [[Tambacounda Region]]. Souty Touré, the current mayor, was formerly a government minister under [[Abdou Diouf]], and was the founder of the [[Authentic Socialist Party (Senegal)|Parti socialiste authentique]] (PSA) political party. The PSA has only one seat in the legislature, and Tambacounda is its political base. ==Sites of interest== The [[Niokolo-Koba National Park]] lies just to the south of the town, and is famed for its wildlife. In [[2003]], the Iron framed rail staion, the ''Hôtel de la Gare'' and the colonial Préfecture building were plced on Senegal's list of ''Monuments historiques''<ref>Arrêté du 27 mars 2003 [http://www.culture.gouv.sn/article.php3?id_article=137]</ref>. ==Sister cities== * [[Image:Flag of France.svg|25px]] [[Bondy]] in [[France]]. * [[Image:Flag of France.svg|25px]] [[La Roche sur Yon]] in [[France]] (local development project) == See also == * [[Transport in Senegal]] == References == * Translation of [[:fr:Tambacounda]] (January 2008). {{reflist}} ===External links=== * [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/SG/5/Tambacounda.html Fallingrain map - elevation = 24m Maps, weather and airports for Tambacounda] *{{fr}} [http://sip.sn/tambacounda// Site officiel de la commune] *{{fr}} [http://www.planete-senegal.com/visites/tambacounda.php Tambacounda sur Planète Sénégal] *{{fr}} [http://www.tambacounda.info/ tambacounda.info]]: Tambacounda based news and web portal. ===Bibliography=== *{{fr}} Sekna Cissé, ''Évolution de la population de Tambacounda 1915-1976. Essai d’interprétation'', Université de Dakar, 1981, 85 p. (Mémoire de Maîtrise de géographie) *{{fr}} Mamadou Issa Diallo, ''Étude du vent d’une station synoptique, Tambacounda (1946-1975)'', Université de Dakar : 1983, 141 p. (Mémoire de Maîtrise de géographie) *{{fr}} Astou Diène, ''L’évolution économique du cercle de Tambacounda de 1919 à 1946'', Université de Dakar : 1986, 99 p. (Mémoire de Maîtrise) *{{fr}} Pascal Handschuhmacher, « Tambacounda, une ville historique sans histoire ? » in Jean-Luc Piermay et Cheikh Sarr (dir.) , ''La ville sénégalaise. Une invention aux frontières du monde'', Paris, Karthala, 2007, p. 200-203 ISBN 978-2-84586-884-7 *{{fr}} Abou Ndour, ''Monographie de la ville de Tambacounda des origines à l’indépendance (1960)'', Dakar, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, 1993, 63 p. (Mémoire de Maîtrise) [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Senegal]] [[ca:Tambacounda]] [[de:Tambacounda]] [[fr:Tambacounda]] [[lt:Tambakunda]] [[ja:タンバクンダ]] [[pl:Tambacounda]] [[pt:Tambacounda (departamento)]] [[sv:Tambacounda]]