Sifondo
Sifondo | |
|---|---|
| City of Sifondo | |
 Downtown Sifondo | |
| Country | Apatonia |
| Founded | 1598 |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,370,000 |
Sifondo is the capital city and second-largest city of Apatonia, and it has a population of 2.37 million. The Sifondo metropolitan area has a total population of roughly 13.5 million as of 2018, making it one of the largest metropolitan area in Southern Adula. Sifondo, along with its neighboring and slightly larger city of Misamba, is a major Adulan financial centre and is the economic hub of Apatonia at large. Sifondo initially emerged as a home to the Awori ethnic group and later emerged as a port city that originated on a collection of islands, which are contained in the present day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sifondo Island, Eti-Osa, Adofin and Ofpa. The islands are separated by creeks, fringing the southwest mouth of Sifondo Lagoon, while being protected from the Albarine Sea by barrier islands and long sand spits.
Sifondo is Apatonia's administrative and political capital. It is also a key capital on the South Adulan sub-continent due to Apatonia's geo-political influence in regional affairs, largely as it pertains to rich and untapped natural resources. Major religious sites include the Apatonian National Mosque and the Apatonian National Christian Centre. The city is served by the Azikiwe International Airport.
In recent years, the city has suffered from political unrest, terrorism, and insurgencies, including the 2022 embassy attacks and takeover of military forces during the Biulundo conflict.