| Kambia | |
|---|---|
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Kambia
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Province | Northern Province |
| District | Kambia District |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 12,471 [1] |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC-5) |
Kambia is the capital and largest town of Kambia District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The city is a major trading town and lies about 80 miles (129 km) north of Freetown, and not far from the border with Guinea. The town had a population of 11,842 in the 2004 census[1], with a 2010 estimate being 12,471 [2]. The Susu, and Temne form the largest ethnic groups.
Before the British and Portuguese arrived in Sierra Leone, a farmer/hunter named Pa Kambi settled on the banks of the river where Kambia lies today. As other natives from neighboring locales wandered about, they discovered Pa Kambi thriving on his trades. They, too, decided to settle down and named the area Kambia, meaning the town of Pa Kambi.
The Krio language is the most widely spoken language in the town of Kambia, although most Kambia residents can also speak both the Susu language and Temne language. The city is predominantly Muslim.