Country
name: Republic of Senegal
Governement
type: republic under multiparty democratic rule
National
holiday: Independence Day, 4 April
Historical
background: Senegal's recorded history dates from the 8th century,
when it was part of the empire of Ghana. As this empire waned, the Djolof
kingdom arose and flourished during the 13th and 14th centuries. By the
early 1500s, Portuguese traders had made contact with the coastal kingdoms
but were displaced by the British, French and Dutch. By the end of the
19th century, France controlled all of Senegal. In the run-up to independence,
Senegal joined French Sudan to form the Federation of Mali. The federation
gained independence in 1960 but broke up two months later. Senegal became
a republic under the presidency of Léopold Senghor. At the end of
1980, Senghor stepped down as president. His place was taken by Abdou Diouf.
In the early 1990s, there were serious clashes in the Casamance region
between the army and separatist rebels. In 2000, Wade emerged victorious
of a tense election against Abdou Diouf.
Flag
description: 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 Flag. |
 |
 Geographic
coordinates:
14 00
N, 14 00 W
Map:
Senegal
Highest
point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m
Border
countries: The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali & Mauritania
Capital:
Dakar
Major
cities: Thiès, Kaolack, Ziguinchor, Saint Louis, Diourbel
Population:
53.98 millions (2003)
Density:
21.75 hab./km²
Life
expectancy: 56 years
Ethnic
groups: Wolof 43%, Pular 24%, Serer 15%, Jola 4%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke
1%
Languages:
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Religion:
Muslim 94%, Christian 5%
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc
GDP
per capita: € 1,500 (2002 est)
Internet
country code: .sn
National
anthem: listen the anthem
illustrated with the Senegalese coat of arms. |
