SENEGAL
Also known as: République du Sénégal
Quick Facts
| Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean , between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania |
| Size | total: 196,190 sq km land: 192,000 sq km water: 4,190 sq km |
| Capitals | Dakar |
| Languages | French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka |
| Ethnic groups | Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% |
| Population | 11,126,832 (July 2005 est.) |
| Religion | Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic) |
| Chief of State | President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) |
| Government type | republic under multiparty democratic rule |
| GDP | $18.36 billion (2004 est.) |
| Industries | agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials, ship construction and repair |
| Currency | Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF) |
| Internet country code | .sn |
| Time zone | UTC/GMT 0 (no offset) |
On this page, you will find:
- Country- Map, Flag & Coat of Arms
- Introduction
- Journey Element 1: Nature & Wildlife (Natural Environment; Plants & Wildlife)
- Journey Element 2: Life & Society (History, Society & Culture, Government & Politics)
- Journey Element 3: Trade, Travel & Economy (Transportation, Communication, Economy, Tourism)
- Journey Element 4: Highlights, Current Events & Helpful Links (Highlights & amazing statistics, Current events, Other Helpful Links)
Country- Map, Flag & Coat of Arms
| Map | Map in context (From Wikipedia) |
| Flag | three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia |
Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.
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Journey Element 1: Nature & Wildlife
Natural Environment
Senegal is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The Gambia penetrates more than 320 kilometers (200 mi.) into Senegal. Well-defined dry and humid seasons result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's annual rainfall of about 61 centimeters (24 in.) occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average 27 o C (82 o F); December to February minimum temperatures are about 17 o C (63 o F). Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 150 centimeters (60 in.) annually in some areas.
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Plants & Wildlife
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Journey Element 2: Life & Society
History Overview
Islam, the dominant religion in Senegal, first came to the region in the 11th century. Of the native kingdoms, the Jolof Empire of the 14th century was the most powerful. Various European powers came to the area from the 15th century onward, until France ended up in possession of what had become an important slave trade departure point. Independence from France was gained in 1960. After the breakup of the Mali Federation, President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. In December 1962, their political rivalry led to an attempted coup by Prime Minister Dia. Although this was put down without bloodshed, Dia was arrested and imprisoned, and Senegal adopted a new constitution that consolidated the President’s power. In 1980, President Senghor decided to retire from politics, and he handed power over in 1981 to his handpicked successor, Abdou Diouf. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia on February 1, 1982. However, the the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group in the Casamance region has clashed sporadically with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Abdou Diouf was president between 1981 and 2000. He encouraged broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Domestic politics on occasion spilled over into street violence, border tensions, and a violent separatist movement in the southern region of the Casamance. Nevertheless, Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights strengthened. Diouf served four terms as President. In the presidential election of 2000, he was defeated, in a free and fair election, by opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade. Senegal experienced its second peaceful transition of power, and its first from one political party to another. On December 30, 2004 President Abdoulaye Wade announced that he would sign a peace treaty with the separatist group in the Casamance region. This will end West Africa's longest-running civil conflict. From Wikipedia. |
Significant dates & events
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| Pre-historic times | Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal was inhabited in prehistoric times. |
| 1000s | Islam established itself in the Senegal River valley. |
| 1200s-1300s | The area came under the influence of the Mandingo empires to the east; the Jolof Empire of Senegal also was founded during this time. |
| 1959 | In January, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the Mali Federation. |
| 1960 | Fully independent from France on June 20. Due to internal political difficulties, the Federation broke up on August 20. Senegal and Soudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) proclaimed independence. Leopold Sedar Senghor, internationally known poet, politician, and statesman, was elected Senegal's first President in August 1960. |
| 1962 | After the breakup of the Mali Federation, President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. In December, their political rivalry led to an attempted coup by Prime Minister Dia. Although this was put down without bloodshed, Dia was arrested and imprisoned, and Senegal adopted a new constitution that consolidated the President's power. |
| 1980 | President Senghor decided to retire from politics. |
| 1981 | President Senghor handpickes his successor, Abdou Diouf. Power was transferred peacefully, if not altogether democratically, from Senghor to Diouf. Abdou Diouf was President from 1981-2000. He encouraged broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Domestic politics on occasion spilled over into street violence, border tensions, and a violent separatist movement in the southern region of the Casamance. Nevertheless, Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights strengthened. |
| 1982 | Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia on February. |
| 1989 | The Senegambia integration was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. |
| 2000 | Diouf served his fourth and final term as President. In the presidential election of 2000, he was defeated, in a free and fair election, by Abdoulaye Wade, leader of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) and opposition for more than 25 years. Senegal experienced its second peaceful transition of power, and its first from one political party to another. |
| 2004 | On December 30, President Abdoulaye Wade announced that he would sign a peace treaty with the separatist group in the Casamance region. This will end West Africa's longest-running civil conflict. |
Society & Culture
About 51% of Senegal's population is rural. In rural areas, density varies from about 77 per square kilometer (200 per sq. mi.) in the west-central region to 2 per square kilometer (5 per sq. mi.) in the arid eastern section. About 50,000 Europeans (mostly French) and Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. French is the official language but is used regularly only by the literate minority. All Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which Wolof has the largest usage.
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Government & Politics
Senegal is a secular republic with a strong presidency, weak legislature, reasonably independent judiciary, and multiple political parties. Senegal is one of the few African states that has never experienced a coup d'etat. As noted above, power was transferred peacefully, if not altogether democratically, in 1981, and once again in March 2000.
The president is elected by universal adult suffrage to a 5-year term. Under the terms of the 2001 constitution, future presidents will serve for 5 years and be limited to two terms. Wade was the last President to be elected to a 7-year term.
President Wade has advanced a liberal agenda for Senegal, including privatizations and other market-opening measures. He has a strong interest in raising Senegal's regional and international profile. The country, nevertheless, has limited means with which to implement ambitious ideas. The liberalization of the economy is proceeding, but at a slow pace. Senegal continues to play a significant role in regional and international organizations.
There are presently some 65 political parties, most of which are marginal and little more than platforms for their leaders. The principal political parties, however, constitute a true multiparty, democratic political culture, and they have contributed to one of the most successful democratic transitions in Africa, even among all developing countries. A flourishing independent media, largely free from official or informal control, also contributes to the democratic politics of Senegal. The country's generally tolerant culture, largely free from ethnic or religious tensions, has provided a resilient base for democratic politics.
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Journey Element 3: Trade, Travel & Economy
The former capital of French West Africa, Senegal is a semi-arid country located on the westernmost point of Africa. Predominantly rural and with limited natural resources, the country earns foreign exchange from fish, phosphates, peanuts, tourism, and services. Its economy is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall and changes in world commodity prices. Senegal depends heavily on foreign assistance.
Since the January 1994 CFA franc devaluation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other multilateral and bilateral creditors have been supporting the Government of Senegal's structural and sectoral adjustment programs. The broad objectives of the program have been to facilitate growth and development by reducing the role of government in the economy, improving public sector management, enhancing incentives for the private sector, and reducing poverty.
With an external debt of $ 3,919 million, and with its economic reform program on track, Senegal reached its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief completion point in April 2004. Senegal will apply for cancellation of approximately $850 million in debt from Paris Club and other donors. Progress on structural reforms is on track, but the pace of reforms remains slow, as delays occur in implementing a number of measures on the privatization program, good governance issues, and the promotion of private sector activity. Senegal continues to lead the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries in macroeconomic performance.
The fishing sector has replaced the groundnut sector as Senegal's export leader. The industrial fishing operations struggle with high costs, and Senegalese tuna is rapidly losing the French market to more efficient Asian competitors. Receipts from tourism, the fourth major foreign exchange earner, have picked up since the January 1994 devaluation.
Phosphate production, the second major foreign exchange earner, has been steady. Exports of peanut products reached $63 million in 2003. Receipts from tourism, the fourth major foreign exchange earner, have picked up since the January 1994 devaluation.
Senegal's new Agency for the Promotion of Investment (APIX) plays a pivotal role in the government's foreign investment program. Its objective is to increase the investment rate from its current level of 20.6% to 30%. Currently, there are no restrictions on the transfer or repatriation of capital and income earned, or investment financed with convertible foreign exchange. Economic assistance, about $350 million a year, comes largely from France, the IMF, the World Bank, and the United States. Canada, Italy, Japan, and Germany also provide assistance.
Senegal has well-developed though costly port facilities, an international airport serving 28 international airlines that serves as a regional hub, and advanced telecommunications infrastructure, including a fiber optics backbone and cellular phone penetration approaching 10% of the population.
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Journey Element 4: Highlights, Current Events & Helpful Links
Highlights & amazing statistics
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Other Helpful Links
| Coming from the road! |
