In this article, we will explore in depth Kédougou and its impact on our contemporary society. Kédougou has been the subject of study and interest over the years, and its relevance has not diminished over time. Through a comprehensive analysis, we will examine the different aspects and facets of Kédougou, from its origins to its role in today's world. We will delve into its meaning, its implications and its influence in various spheres, as well as its relevance to the general public. Through this exploration, we hope to provide a more complete and enriching view of Kédougou, in order to better understand its importance and implications for the world in which we live.
Kédougou | |
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Town | |
![]() Kédougou in 1981 | |
Location in Senegal | |
Coordinates: 12°33′00″N 12°11′00″W / 12.55000°N 12.18333°W | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Kédougou |
Department | Kédougou |
Elevation | 167 m (548 ft) |
Population (2007) | |
• Total | 18,860 |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
Kédougou (Wolof: Keédugu) is a town in the Kédougou Region of south-eastern Senegal near the border with Mali and Guinea. It lies at an elevation of 167 m (548 ft) above sea level.
Founded by the Malinké people, Kédougou means the "Land of Man". The town lies on the N7 road and the River Gambia amid the Pays Bassari hills and Fouta Djallon foothills. Local attractions include the Dindefelo Falls and Niokolo-Koba National Park. The main sources of income in the town are agriculture, small-scale commerce, construction, and gold mining. There is a military camp, a hospital, a community radio station and library, a Peace Corps Office and a number of small businesses. The most commonly spoken languages are Pulaar, Bassari, Bedik, Diakhanké, Malinké and French.
In 2007, according to official estimates, Kédougou had a population of 18,860.
A proposed railway branching off the existing line at Tambacounda would serve this town.[1]
The gold-mining industry has brought several large-scale foreign mining companies to the Kédougou area. This has been a source of tension with some local residents, who point to a lack of jobs available to locals. In late 2008, protests over the practices of gold mines in the region turned violent. On 23 December 2008, a protest march culminated in the burning of government buildings and the security forces firing on demonstrators. The next several days saw widespread destruction of property, looting, and according to a Senegalese human rights group, the mass arrest and torture of suspects. There were also reports that many residents fled the town, some as far as Guinea. Security forces reported one dead, 23 civilians and 10 gendarmes wounded.[2]
Kédougou has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) featuring hot to sweltering, rainless winters and hot, rainy summers.
Climate data for Kédougou, Senegal (1981-2010 normals, extremes 1973-2007) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 40.2 (104.4) |
40.7 (105.3) |
45.0 (113.0) |
46.4 (115.5) |
44.0 (111.2) |
42.5 (108.5) |
38.5 (101.3) |
38.6 (101.5) |
36.8 (98.2) |
37.8 (100.0) |
38.5 (101.3) |
39.1 (102.4) |
46.4 (115.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 34.2 (93.6) |
37.2 (99.0) |
39.1 (102.4) |
40.4 (104.7) |
38.9 (102.0) |
34.8 (94.6) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.3 (88.3) |
32.0 (89.6) |
34.0 (93.2) |
35.3 (95.5) |
33.9 (93.0) |
35.2 (95.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 25.9 (78.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
31.4 (88.5) |
33.4 (92.1) |
32.5 (90.5) |
29.3 (84.7) |
26.9 (80.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.6 (79.9) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.3 (81.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
28.5 (83.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17.6 (63.7) |
20.7 (69.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
26.3 (79.3) |
26.1 (79.0) |
23.7 (74.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.2 (70.2) |
21.6 (70.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
16.9 (62.4) |
21.7 (71.1) |
Record low °C (°F) | 12.0 (53.6) |
13.5 (56.3) |
17.2 (63.0) |
18.2 (64.8) |
19.2 (66.6) |
17.5 (63.5) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
11.2 (52.2) |
9.6 (49.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.02) |
0.1 (0.00) |
1.6 (0.06) |
4.1 (0.16) |
53.7 (2.11) |
153.2 (6.03) |
260.4 (10.25) |
317.9 (12.52) |
280.0 (11.02) |
96.2 (3.79) |
5.6 (0.22) |
0.3 (0.01) |
1,173.5 (46.19) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 86 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 27 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 44 | 66 | 79 | 82 | 82 | 78 | 56 | 35 | 52 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 269.7 | 249.2 | 272.8 | 267.0 | 266.6 | 240.0 | 217.0 | 201.5 | 219.0 | 244.9 | 258.0 | 257.3 | 2,963 |
Percentage possible sunshine | 77 | 77 | 74 | 72 | 68 | 63 | 55 | 52 | 61 | 68 | 75 | 74 | 68 |
Source 1: WMO[3] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA (sunshine 1961–1990)[4] DWD (extremes, humidity 1968–1988)[5] |