Vélingara Department

Vélingara Department is one of the 46 departments of Senegal, one of the three making up the Kolda Region in the Upper Casamance.

Administration

The department has three communes: Vélingara (the capital town), Kounkané and Diaobé-Kabendou.

The rural districts (Communautés rurales) comprise:

  • Bonconto Arrondissement
    • Bonconto (Bonkonto)
    • Linkéring
    • Médina Gounass
    • Sinthiang Koundara
  • Pakour Arrondissement
    • Pakour
    • Paroumba
    • Ouassadou
  • Saré Coly Sallé Arrondissement, created in 2008
    • Saré Coly Sallé
    • Kandia
    • Kandiaye
    • Némataba

Population

In the December 2002 census, the population was 189,742. In 2005, it was estimated at 206,547 people.

Historical site

  • Village of Payoungou, arrondissement of Pakour

Notable people

  • Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara, founder of the NGO Mozdahir International Institute