Kono District | |
|---|---|
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Province | Eastern Province |
| Capital | Koidu Town |
| Government | |
| • Paramount Chief | Abu Mbawa Kongoba |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 355,401 (Ranked 4th) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Greenwich Mean Time) |
Kono District is a district in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. It has a population of 355,401 people (2004 census). Its capital and administrative center is Koidu Town, which is also the 4th largest city in Sierra Leone, after Freetown, Bo and Kenema. The second largest town in the district is Yengema. Kono District borders the Republic of Guinea to the east, Koinadugu District to the west, Kenema District to the southwest, and Kailahun District to the southeast
The district has arguably been called the breadbasket of Sierra Leone's diamond. To some Sierra Leoneans, Kono district is the country's hope for development.
Before the civil war, Kono District was the post populous district in the country with a population well over 600,000; however, it experienced devastation during the Sierra Leone Civil War, which forced many of the residents out of the district. The district was heavily looted and constantly fought over due to the rich diamond reserves in the area.
