Kapoeta

Town in Equatoria, South Sudan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kapoeta is a town in South Sudan. It is located in Kapoeta South County, in Eastern Equatoria State,[1] in southeastern South Sudan.

Country South Sudan
Town19 August 2013
Elevation
2,221 ft (677 m)
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Kapoeta
Town
Peace agreement dancers in Kapoeta
Peace agreement dancers in Kapoeta
Kapoeta is located in South Sudan
Kapoeta
Kapoeta
Location in South Sudan
Coordinates: 04°46′30″N 33°35′24″E
Country South Sudan
RegionEquatoria
StateEastern Equatoria
CountyKapoeta South County
Town19 August 2013
Elevation
2,221 ft (677 m)
Population
 (2008 estimate)
  Total
7,000
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
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Location

The town lies on the east bank of the Singaita River. The post at Kapoeta was established by Captain Knollys, who reached the river in January 1927.[2] This location lies approximately 275 kilometres (171 mi), by road, east of Juba, the capital and largest city of South Sudan.[3] The town sits at an elevation of 677 metres (2,221 ft) above sea level.[4]

History

Kapoeta was upgraded to town status administered by a town clerk on August 19, 2013.[5]

Transport

The main road from Lokichogio, Kenya to the capital city of Juba, South Sudan, runs through Kapoeta. The town is also served by Kapoeta Airport which, in 2011, was little more than a dirt strip.

Population

As of August 2008, the population of Kapoeta was estimated at 7,000.

Culture

Kapoeta town sits in a land dominated by the Toposa ethnic group. The Didinga also live in the area, but they are farmers and tend to inhabit the fertile, wetter hills, whereas the cattle-centric Toposa people dominate the plains.

Kapoeta is a destination for the many South Sudanese who are chronicled in the nonfiction book Lost Boy, Lost Girl: Escaping Civil War in Sudan.

Points of interest

The following points of interest are found in or near Kapoeta:

  • The offices of Kapoeta Town Council
  • The headquarters of Kapoeta South County
  • Kapoeta Airport – a civilian airport to the north of town
  • Kapoeta Power Station – A 0.9MW high-speed diesel plant, commissioned in 2011[6]
  • The Narus River – Seasonal River, prone to flooding[7]

See also

References

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