Rumbek

Rumbek is approximately by road northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in the country. Its coordinates are and its elevation is above sea level. ==Overview==

Rumbek is the headquarters of Rumbek Central County and is the capital of Lakes State, one of the 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. ==Population==

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 32,100. ==Transportation==

The town of Rumbek is situated on 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. Civicon Limited is the main construction contractor in Rumbek, working on both the roads and the airport. ==Climate==

Like other parts of South Sudan and the East Sudanian savanna, Rumbek has a tropical savanna climate which borders on a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen Aw bordering on BSh), with a wet season and a dry season and the temperature being hot year-round. The average annual mean temperature is , the average annual high temperature is , while the average annual low temperature is . The hottest time of year is from February to May, just before the wet season starts. March is the hottest month, having the highest average high at , the highest mean at and the highest average low at . August and July have the lowest average high and mean at and , while December has the lowest average low at . Rumbek receives of rain over 77.1 precipitation days, with a distinct wet and dry season like most tropical savanna climates. December receives no precipitation at all, with almost no rain falling from November to March. August, the wettest month, receives of rainfall on average. August also has 13.9 precipitation days, which is the most of any month. Humidity is much higher in the wet season than the dry season, with February having a humidity at just 31% and August having a humidity at 74%. Rumbek receives 2675.7 hours of sunshine annually on average, with the sunshine being distributed fairly evenly across the year, although it is lower during the wet season. January receives the most sunshine, while June receives the least. ==Points of interest==

The following points of interest are found in or near Rumbek: • The offices of Rumbek Town Council • The headquarters of Rumbek Central County • The headquarters of Lakes State Administration • Rumbek Holy Family Cathedral • Rumbek Freedom Square, an outdoor venue in the middle of town for public and civic gatherings • A branch of Kenya Commercial Bank (South Sudan) • A branch of Nile Commercial Bank • Salva Kiir Women International Hospital • Lakes State Hospital, a public hospital administered by the Lakes State Government • Rumbek Airport, a small airport with a regular scheduled airline service and private air charter services == Schools in Rumbek ==

• Gol Meen Primary School • Rumbek National Secondary School • Rumbek University, one of several public universities in South Sudan. ==Community development==

Caritas Rumbek, an arm of Caritas South Sudan, provides community support in rural areas with the assistance of charitable aid raised by CAFOD in the United Kingdom. == Notable people ==

• Samuel Aru Bol, politician (1929–2000) • Ager Gum, military leader and song composer (1941–1996) • Gordon Muortat Mayen, politician (1922–2008) • Peter Jok, basketball player. • Khaman Maluach, professional basketball player ==See also==