Kambia, Sierra Leone
| Kambia | |
|---|---|
  Kambia | |
| Coordinates: 9°07′N 12°55′W / 9.117°N 12.917°W | |
| Country |
 Sierra Leone |
| Province | Northern Province |
| District | Kambia District |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 12,471 |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC-5) |
Kambia also commonly known as Kambia Town is the capital and largest town of Kambia District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Kambia is a major trading center business center. Kambia lies approximately 120 miles north-east of Freetown. The town had a population of 11,842 in the 2004 census,[1] with a 2010 estimate being 12,471 . Kambia lies on the Freetown-Conakry, Guinea highway.
The population of Kambia is ethnically diverse, though the Temne and Susu are predominant. The Krio language is the most widely spoken language in the town of Kambia. The town is predominantly Muslim.
History
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.
Languages
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.
References
- ↑ Republic of Sierra Leone: 2004 Population and Housing Census: Analytical Report on Population Distribution, Migration and Urbanisation in Sierra Leone.
Ibrahim Mohamed Sesay, Andrew A. Karam, Jinnah J. Ngobeh. Published November 2006.
Coordinates: 9°07′N 12°55′W / 9.117°N 12.917°W