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Rumbek

Rumbek, South Sudan

Rumbek is the capital of Lakes State, central South Sudan, and the former capital of the country.

​Rumbek is approximately 377 kilometers (234 mi) by road northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in the country. Its coordinates are 6.81°N 29.68°E and its elevation is 420 meters (1,380 ft) above sea level.

Rumbek is the headquarters of Rumbek Central County and is the capital of Lakes State, one of the ten (10) states of South Sudan. Following the peace agreement ending the Second Sudanese Civil War, the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement chose Rumbek to serve as the temporary administrative center of the Government of Southern Sudan. Later, Juba was selected to become the permanent capital. Like most South Sudanese towns, Rumbek suffered significant infrastructural damage during the civil war, in which an estimated 2 million people perished.

In 2004, the United Nations (OCHA) estimated the population of "Rumbek County" at about 82,500. At that time, the Dinka Agar constituted about 60% of the population, 30% were Dinka Gok, 6% were Bongo and 4% were Jur-Bel. In 2011, the population of the town of Rumbek is estimated at about 32,100.

The main road (A43) from Juba to the southeast to Wau to the northwest. There are two smaller roads out of town; one to Yirol to the east and another to Durbuoni to the north. Since 2005, some of the roads have undergone repairs. Rumbek is also served by Rumbek Airport.

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