Kassala, city, northeastern Sudan, capital of Kassala Province, at the foot of the Jebel Kassala, on the Gash River, near the Eritrean border. It is the center of a major cotton-growing region and of the Gash irrigation project. Irrigated gardens in the area produce vegetables, fruits, corn, and millet. Kassala is a trade center, marketing hides, wheat, palm products, and gum arabic. Agricultural equipment is imported and maintained here, and industries include tanning, flour milling, and vegetable processing. The city is the headquarters of the Khatmiya Islamic religious sect. Founded by the Egyptians in 1834 as a military camp, Kassala was held by the rebelling Mahdists from 1885 to 1894 and by Italy from 1894 to 1897 and for a short period during World War II. Population (1993) 234,270.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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