Turalei
| Turalei | |
|---|---|
  Turalei Location in South Sudan | |
| Coordinates: 9°05′28″N 28°25′51″E / 9.0912°N 28.4308°ECoordinates: 9°05′28″N 28°25′51″E / 9.0912°N 28.4308°E | |
| Country |
 South Sudan |
| State | Warrap State |
| County | Twic County |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Turalei is a settlement in South Sudan.
Location
Turalei is located in Twic County, Warrap State,[1] in northern South Sudan, near the borders with the Republic of Sudan and with the Abyei Region. This location lies about 834 kilometres (518 mi) by road, northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in the country.[2]
Overview
Turalei is renowned as the birthplace of several exceptionally tall basketball players, including the late NBA star Manute Bol, who was 7 feet 7 inches (231 cm) and Ring Ayuel, who is 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm). Bol's remains were buried in Turalei.[3]
Due to its proximity to the border with Sudan, Turalei suffered extensive destruction during the Second Sudanese Civil War of 1983 to 2005. Efforts are underway to assist in the rehabilitation of the settlement. The late Manute Bol was involved in some of those efforts. As a result, a hospital was built in the area.
More recently in 2011, as hostilities have flared up in neighboring Abyei, Turalei has received an influx of refugees, who have overwhelmed local resources.[4] In June 2011, Turalei itself was attacked by militiamen believed to be affiliated with the Khartoum government. Several fatalities were recorded.[5]
Population
The population of Twic Mayardit County or Turalei is 529,000.
