# Malakal

> city in South Sudan

**Wikidata**: [Q220049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220049)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malakal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/malakal

## Summary

Malakal is a city in South Sudan and the capital of Upper Nile state, located in Malakal County in the eastern part of the country. With a population of 147,450 as of 2014, it serves as a major administrative and economic center in the Upper Nile region, situated at coordinates 9.5333° N latitude and 31.65° E longitude, approximately 385 metres above sea level.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: City, classified as a big city
- **Country**: South Sudan
- **Administrative Status**: Capital of Upper Nile (state)
- **Location**: Upper Nile, Malakal County
- **Population**: 147,450 (as of 2014)
- **Coordinates**: 9.5333333333333° N, 31.65° E
- **Elevation**: 385 metres above sea level
- **Timezone**: UTC+03:00
- **UN/Locode**: SSMAK
- **VIAF ID**: 146723157
- **Freebase ID**: /m/07ycp6
- **Geonames ID**: 370737
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 210414793
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -10565
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n92042546
- **BBC Things ID**: 49990552-5f18-438b-8198-48345425ceec
- **Online PWN Encyclopedia ID**: 3936646
- **Encyclopaedia Britannica Online ID**: place/Malakal
- **Wikidata Description**: city in South Sudan
- **Sitelink Count**: 48 (Wikipedia articles in 48 languages)
- **Wikipedia Languages**: ar, arz, bg, ca, ceb, cs, da, de, en, eo, es, et, fa, fi, fr, gl, he, hr, hy, id, it, ja, ka, ko, lt, ms, nl, no, oc, pam, pl, pt, ro, ru, sh, sr, sv, sw, th, uk, ur, vi, war, zh, zu
- **Commons Category**: Malakal
- **Topic's Main Category**: Category:Malakal
- **Category of Associated People**: Category:People of Malakal
- **Alias**: Малакал (Russian transliteration)
- **Different From**: Malakal Island, Malakal Power Plant

## FAQs

**What is Malakal known for administratively?**

Malakal serves as the capital city of Upper Nile state in South Sudan, making it a crucial administrative center for the eastern region of the country. It is also the seat of Malakal County government.

**Where is Malakal located geographically?**

Malakal is situated in eastern South Sudan within Upper Nile region and Malakal County, positioned at coordinates 9.5333° N latitude and 31.65° E longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 385 metres above sea level.

**What is the population of Malakal?**

Malakal had a population of 147,450 residents according to census data from 2014.

**What is Malakal's timezone?**

Malakal operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+03:00.

**How is Malakal distinguished from other places with similar names?**

Malakal is distinct from Malakal Island and Malakal Power Plant, which are separate geographical and infrastructure entities that should not be confused with the city itself.

**What international identifiers are associated with Malakal?**

Malakal has several international identification codes: UN/Locode SSMAK for maritime and trade purposes, VIAF ID 146723157 for library cataloging, Geonames ID 370737 for geographical databases, and OpenStreetMap Node ID 210414793 for mapping services.

## Why It Matters

Malakal holds significant importance as a regional capital in South Sudan, one of the world's youngest nations that gained independence in 2011. As the administrative center of Upper Nile state, the city serves as the governmental hub for a region that has been strategically vital due to its proximity to Sudan's border and its oil resources. The city's location in the Upper Nile region places it at the heart of historical and ongoing political developments in South Sudan, including the conflicts that have shaped the nation's trajectory since independence.

The population figure of 147,450 (2014) indicates Malakal's role as a major urban center in a largely rural region, serving as a hub for commerce, administration, and services for surrounding communities. Its elevation of 385 metres and positioning along regional transportation routes make it accessible for trade and movement within the Upper Nile region.

The city's international identification codes—ranging from UN/Locode for trade logistics to VIAF for bibliographic purposes and various database identifiers—reflect its integration into global information systems and international recognition as a significant settlement.

## Notable For

- Serving as the capital of Upper Nile state, one of South Sudan's most historically significant regions
- Being one of the largest cities in South Sudan by population
- Having extensive multilingual Wikipedia coverage (48 language versions)
- Hosting the Malakal Marketplace, documented photographically in 2005
- Being the administrative center of Malakal County
- Operating in the UTC+03:00 timezone shared with East Africa
- Having documented presence in major international reference works including Encyclopaedia Britannica, Wikipedia, and various geographical databases

## Body

### Geography and Location

Malakal is positioned at coordinates 9.5333333333333° North latitude and 31.65° East longitude, placing it in the eastern portion of South Sudan within the Upper Nile region. The city sits at an elevation of 385 metres above sea level, characteristic of the Upper Nile's generally flat terrain. The city serves as the administrative center of Malakal County and holds the distinction of being the capital of Upper Nile state, one of South Sudan's ten states.

### Administrative Significance

As the capital of Upper Nile state, Malakal functions as the primary governmental and administrative hub for the region. Upper Nile has historically been a region of considerable strategic importance due to its oil resources and its position along the Nile River system. The city's status as a state capital means it houses the offices and institutions of state government, making it the political center for millions of residents in the surrounding area.

### Demographics and Population

According to data from 2014, Malakal had a population of 147,450 residents. This figure positions the city as one of the larger urban centers in South Sudan, a country where the majority of the population resides in rural areas. The city's population reflects its role as a regional center attracting residents seeking administrative services, economic opportunities, and access to infrastructure.

### International Identification and Database References

Malakal is catalogued in numerous international databases and identification systems, reflecting its recognition within global information infrastructure:

- **UN/Locode (SSMAK)**: The United Nations Location Code for maritime and trade logistics purposes
- **VIAF (146723157)**: Virtual International Authority File for library cataloguing
- **Freebase ID (/m/07ycp6)**: Google's structured knowledge base identifier
- **Geonames ID (370737)**: Geographic names database identifier from geonames.org
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID (210414793)**: Mapping and geospatial data reference
- **GNS Unique Feature ID (-10565)**: GEOnet Names Server identifier for geographical features
- **Library of Congress Authority ID (n92042546)**: U.S. Library of Congress cataloguing identifier
- **BBC Things ID (49990552-5f18-438b-8198-48345425ceec)**: BBC linked data identifier
- **Online PWN Encyclopedia ID (3936646)**: Polish Wikipedia encyclopedia reference
- **Encyclopaedia Britannica Online ID**: place/Malakal

### Timezone and Temporal Context

Malakal operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+03:00. This timezone is standard throughout much of East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The timezone alignment facilitates regional coordination and communication across national boundaries in the Horn of Africa.

### Linguistic Coverage and Wikipedia Presence

Malakal has Wikipedia articles in 48 different languages, demonstrating substantial international attention and documentation. The languages range from widely spoken world languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) to smaller languages (Swahili, Zulu, Yoruba, and others). This extensive multilingual coverage indicates the city's relevance beyond South Sudan, particularly within regional and international contexts involving East Africa, humanitarian operations, and political developments.

### Distinction from Similar Entities

The city of Malakal is explicitly differentiated from two other entities that share all or part of its name:

- **Malakal Island**: A separate geographical feature that should not be confused with the city
- **Malakal Power Plant**: An infrastructure installation distinct from the urban settlement

This differentiation is important for database management, geographical accuracy, and preventing confusion in research and administrative contexts.

### Category Associations

Malakal is associated with several organized knowledge categories:

- **Commons Category (Malakal)**: Wikimedia Commons media files
- **Topic's Main Category**: Category:Malakal
- **Category of Associated People**: Category:People of Malakal, documenting notable individuals connected to the city

### Historical Documentation

The city has been documented photographically, including images of the Malakal Marketplace from August 2005, providing visual historical record of the city's commercial activity and urban landscape during the pre-independence period of Sudan. This documentation appears in Wikimedia Commons and is available for reference and study.

### Reference Works and Encyclopedic Coverage

Malakal appears in multiple major encyclopedic and reference sources:

- **Encyclopaedia Britannica** (online edition, place/Malakal)
- **Wikipedia** (48 language editions)
- **Wikimedia Commons** (media files and categories)
- Various geographical and administrative databases

The city's presence across these platforms reflects its documented significance in geographical, historical, and administrative contexts.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. BBC Things
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ss.htm)