Quick answerNyala is a city in Sudan, with 1,100,000 people inside the city limits in 2024. It is best known for the Capital of South Darfur, the Largest city in Darfur and the Nyala Grand Market. Its official languages are Arabic and English, and its currency is the Sudanese pound.
Nyala is the capital of South Darfur in south-western Sudan, with about 1.1 million people (2024 estimate). It is the largest city in Darfur and the main market town for the region, at the foot of the Jebel Marra mountains.
Key facts
| Country | Sudan |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 1,100,000 (2024) |
| Elevation | 673 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Africa/Khartoum |
| Language | Arabic, English |
| Currency | Sudanese pound (SDG, ج.س.) |
| Coordinates | 12.05° N, 24.8833° E |
Overview
Nyala is a city and the capital of the state of South Darfur in the south-west of Sudan, with an estimated population of 1,100,000 in 2024. It is the largest city in Darfur and the main market and transport hub for the region, standing 673 metres above sea level at the south-eastern foot of the Jebel Marra mountains.
Nyala grew as a market town on the trade routes of Darfur, where farmers from the Jebel Marra highlands brought their produce and herders brought livestock. It is the seat of the University of Nyala, founded in 1994, and its grand market is the commercial heart of the city, drawing traders from across Darfur and from Chad.
Today Nyala is at the centre of the Darfur conflict. The city was fought over in the war that began in April 2023, and the Rapid Support Forces took control of it in October 2023. Its population figures are estimates made during the war, and the city has seen large movements of people in both directions as fighting has spread across Darfur.
What Nyala is known for
- Capital of South Darfur
- Largest city in Darfur
- Nyala Grand Market
- University of Nyala
- Jebel Marra foothills
- Darfur trade hub
Landmarks
- Nyala Grand Market
- University of Nyala
- Nyala Airport
- Jebel Marra foothills
- Nyala Grand Mosque
- Nyala Post Office
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Nyala?
About 1.1 million people live in Nyala (1,100,000 in a 2024 estimate). That makes Nyala the largest city in Darfur and one of the largest cities in Sudan. The figure is an estimate made during the war: the city was fought over in 2023 and its population has shifted a great deal since.
What is Nyala famous for?
Nyala is famous as the capital of South Darfur and the largest city in Darfur, and as the region's main market town, where farmers from the Jebel Marra highlands and herders from across Darfur bring their goods. It is also known as the seat of the University of Nyala.
Where is Nyala located?
Nyala is in south-western Sudan, in the state of South Darfur, at the south-eastern foot of the Jebel Marra mountains. It is the capital of South Darfur and sits 673 metres above sea level. Its coordinates are 12.05° N, 24.88° E, and its time zone is Central Africa Time.
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Keep exploring
- Sudan — the country Nyala is in
- Khartoum — another city in Sudan
- Omdurman — another city in Sudan
- Port Sudan — another city in Sudan
- All cities in Sudan
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.