Kolda

• Official Name — Kolda • Other Name — كولدا • Settlement Type — City and commune • Total Type — City and commune • Mapsize — 250px • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Type1 — Region • Subdivision Name1 — Kolda • Subdivision Type2 — Department • Subdivision Name2 — Kolda • Leader Title — Mayor • Leader Name — Mame Boye Diao • Area Total Km2 — 39.24 • Population As Of — 2023 census • Population Total — 103574 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Timezone — GMT • Utc Offset — +0 • Elevation M — 34 • Elevation Ft — 100

The name Kolda derives from the name of the city's founder Koly Dado who first established a settlement near the banks of the Casamance River.

Kolda is the chief city of Kolda Department and of the Kolda Region.

The city is located on National Road 6, also called the "southern route" due to the fact that it goes from Dakar to Ziguinchor through Tambacounda, Vélingara and Kolda. Dakar, the capital city of Sénégal, is located 670 kilometers from Kolda. Local administrative districts include Bantanguel, Doumassou, Ndiobène, Sarè Moussa, Gadapara, Sarè Kemo, Sinthiang Tountouroung, Sinthiang Idriss, Escale, Sikilo, and Faraba. Kolda is the main capital of the region incorporating the two departments of Velingara and Fafacourou.

Kolda has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with two distinct seasons. The wet season lasts for five months, from June through October, while the dry season begins in November and ends in May. Temperatures are hot to sweltering throughout the year. The annual average temperature is 28.7 °C, with a maximum of 32.5 °C in May and a minimum of 24.8 °C in December. Afternoons in the latter half of the dry season are extremely hot, averaging over 40 °C from March to May. However, in the middle of the dry season mornings are distinctly comfortable at around 15 °C.

As of 2002, Kolda's population was 53,921. In 2007, official estimations, numbered the population at 62,258 inhabitants. The majority population is members of the Fula ethnic group. Mandinke and Jola ethnic groups are also present.

A Center of Zootechniques Research (CRZ) was established in Kolda in 1972. Major crops include cotton, cereals like miley, fonio, peanut and another vegetables. Kolda also has major sheep, cattle, and dairy production. Kolda is abundant in fruits such as mangoes, oranges, and acajou nuts.

• Tapa Diao, cultural and political leader, former senator of Kolda in the National Assembly • Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara, Islamic religious leader and founder of international NGO Mozdahir (born in Darou Hidjiratou) • Sidney Toure, poet, actor, activist • Moriba Pascal Doumbia, educator • El Hadj Omar Fall, educator • Mère Henry Ronk (Catholic Mission), caregiver • Ablaye Diallo (Zal), footballer • Massamba Sambou, football player • Souleymane Diamanka, poet • Ablaye Cissoko, Singer, Musician • General Ameth Fall (general) • Sada Kane, journalist • Barou Balde, Adjunct Mayor • Bécaye Diop, Minister of State, Minister of the Armed Forces, and Mayor of Kolda • Cheikh Sabaly, Footballer