Meaning of word Bolon?
 In
Gambia a bolong or bolon means a creek, "movable water"
or "tributary" in the Mandinka
language. Many point north or south
into Senegal; they supply fresh water during the rains.
The most famous is Bintang Bolong (different spelling Bitang or
Vintang) the largest tributary of the Gambia
River which flows south east into Senegal. It rises
in the Senegalese region of Kolda. This is part of the Casamance
region, between the states of the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Near
the mouth lies Bintang
Bolong Lodge which provides accommodation
in Gambia along the river.
The river's course flows over a distance of about 130 kilometres
in a westerly direction and has a width of approximately 570 meters.
At the geographical coordinates are 13 ° 19 'N, 16 ° 13' W at
the mouth, at the Bintang Point, the water depth is about 5-7
metres deep, and on the banks are extensive mangrove forests growing
up to 55 feet high.
Historically it marked the border between two kingdoms; the Mandinka
and Foni Kiang. Foni was
on the left, and Kiang on the northern side of the river.
In the 15th century the Portuguese maintained a trading post at
Bintang village located on the river bank a few km upstream. Later,
this post was used by British merchants.
Further upriver is Santamba another old trading post which is
now just ruins of the old commercial buildings. Likewise Foni
Kansala was a historic place, and today is where Bwiam is located.
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Geography
& Nature River
Gambia Coastline 
