Kaolack

Kaolack
كاولاك
Town
The mosque at Medina Baay, Kaolack
The mosque at Medina Baay, Kaolack
Kaolack is located in Senegal
Kaolack
Kaolack
Coordinates: 14°1′N 16°15′W / 14.017°N 16.250°W / 14.017; -16.250
Country Senegal
RegionKaolack Region
DepartmentKaolack Department
Population
 (2013)
 • Total233,708
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)

Kaolack (Arabic: كاولاك; Wolof: Kawlax) is a town of 233,708 people (2012 census) on the north bank of the Saloum River about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from its mouth and the N1 road in Senegal. It is the capital of the Kaolack Region, which borders The Gambia to the south. Kaolack is an important regional market town and is Senegal's main peanut trading and processing center. As the center of the Ibrahimiyya branch of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order founded by Ibrayima Ñas, it is also a major center of Islamic education. The Leona Niassene mosque (right) in Kaolack is one of the largest and best known in Senegal.