FASHIR, AL-

town, northwestern Sudan, 120 miles (195 km) northeast of Nyala. A historical caravan centre, it is located at an elevation of about 2,400 feet (700 m). The town serves as an agricultural marketing centre for the cereals and fruits grown in the surrounding area. It is linked by road with al-Junaynah and Umm Kaddadah. In the late 18th century Sultan 'Abd ar-Rahman ar-Rashed of the Fur Sultanate of Darfur established his capital at al-Fashir, and the town grew up around the sultan's palace. Pop. (1973) 51,932.