Senegal

This West African nation stretches along the Atlantic coast with varied landscapes from Sahel in the north through central savanna regions to mangrove forests and tropical vegetation in the southern Casamance area. The Senegal River marks the northern boundary while the interior features flat plains and gentle hills. The capital Dakar sits on the westernmost peninsula of the African continent.

Various kingdoms including the Jolof Empire and Kingdom of Sine controlled the territory before European arrival in the fifteenth century when Portuguese traders established early trading posts. France established colonial control during the nineteenth century and made Saint-Louis the administrative capital. After World War II the independence movement grew until sovereignty was achieved in 1960 under Léopold Sédar Senghor, developing into a stable democracy.

The Wolof people form the largest ethnic group in this West African nation, where griots preserve oral traditions through generations by sharing historical knowledge through song and storytelling. Teranga, the principle of hospitality, shapes social life and appears in daily interactions through open doors and shared meals. Religious tolerance connects the Muslim majority with Christian and animist communities in peaceful coexistence throughout the territory.

The main travel season runs from November through May during the dry period when temperatures are more comfortable and rainfall is minimal. Blaise Diagne International Airport, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Dakar, offers connections to Europe and other African cities. The national currency is the West African CFA franc, accepted across eight countries in the region and pegged to the euro for financial stability.

Lake Retba northeast of Dakar displays pink-colored water due to specific algae species and high salt concentration that changes color intensity depending on sunlight exposure. Traditional salt harvesters work in the lake, which gained fame through the Paris-Dakar rally film coverage. The salinity surpasses that of the Dead Sea and allows effortless floating.

Inception: 1960

Capital city: Dakar

Part of: West Africa

Shares border with: Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Arab League

Address: Senegal

Website: https://sec.gouv.sn

GPS coordinates: 14.47506,-14.45296

Latest update: November 30, 2025 18:25