Shimsa

Shimsa is a small town situated in the eastern part of the Central Region of the Republic of Tori. The settlement lies approximately 18 kilometres southeast of the regional capital, Kazan, and sits at an elevation of 930 metres above sea level. According to the most recent census carried out in 2021, Shimsa has a population of around 3,250 residents, a figure that reflects modest growth since the 2011 census, when the population was recorded at 2,910.

The town’s economy is predominantly based on subsistence agriculture, with local farmers cultivating wheat, barley, and a variety of root crops such as potatoes and turnips. A minority of the population also engages in small-scale livestock rearing, particularly sheep and goats, which are raised for both local consumption and trade at the weekly market held on Sundays in the town square. Recent initiatives by the regional government have introduced irrigation schemes along the nearby Lumas River, which have improved crop yields and supported a modest expansion of dairy production.

Shimsa is home to a number of cultural institutions, most notably the Shimsa Cultural Centre, founded in 1998. The centre hosts traditional music and dance performances that draw from the region’s rich heritage of folk storytelling. The town’s historical significance is underscored by the presence of the 15th‑century stone arch known as the Kamar Bridge, which once served as a key crossing point for traders traveling between the northern highlands and the coastal settlements. The arch is preserved as a protected monument and forms part of an informal network of historic sites that form the “Lumas Heritage Trail,” a popular route for cultural tourism in the Central Region.