Tonkolili District
Tonkolili District | |
|---|---|
Location of Tonkolili District in Sierra Leone | |
| Coordinates: 8°40′N 11°40′W / 8.667°N 11.667°W | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Province | Northern Province |
| Capital | Magburaka |
| Largest city | Magburaka |
| Government | |
| • Type | District Council |
| • District Council Chairwoman | Yabom Sesay (APC) |
| • Deputy District Council Chairman | Foday Kanu (APC) |
| Area | |
• Total | 7,003 km2 (2,704 sq mi) |
| Population (2015 census) | |
• Total | 530,776 |
| • Density | 76/km2 (200/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Greenwich Mean Time) |
| HDI (2017) | 0.384 low · 10th |
Tonkolili District is a district in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Its capital and largest city is Magburaka. The other major towns include Masingbi, Yele, Mile 91, Bumbuna, Yonibana, Matotoka. Mathora, Magbass and Masanga. Tonkolili District is home to the largest sugar factory in Sierra Leone, and one of the largest sugar factories in West Africa, that is located in the town of Magbass. Tonkolili District had a population of 530,776. The district occupies a total area of 7,003 km2 (2,704 sq mi) and comprises eleven chiefdoms.
Tonkolili District borders Bombali District to the northwest, Kono District to the east, Kenema District and Bo District to the southeast, Port Loko and Koinadugu Districts. Tonkolili is strategically located in the center of Sierra Leone. The district is criss crossed by many rivers including the Pampana River and Sierra Leone's longest river, the Rokel.
The Temne people make up the overwhelming majority of the population of Tonkolili District. The vast majority of the population of Tonkolili District are Muslims.