Senegal

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It shares borders with Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds the Gambia, which lies along the Gambia River. The capital and largest city is Dakar.

Senegal is the westernmost country in the mainland of the Old World, or Afro-Eurasia. Its name comes from the Senegal River, which borders it to the north and east. The country has a typical Sahelian climate with a distinct rainy season. Covering nearly 197,000 square kilometres, Senegal has a population of around 18 million people.

As a presidential republic, Senegal has been known for its stability since gaining independence in 1960. It is ranked 68th in the world for electoral democracy on the 2024 V-Dem Democracy Indices and 10th in electoral democracy in Africa. The country was part of French West Africa before independence from French colonial rule. Although French is the official language, only a small part of the population speaks it. Wolof is the most widely spoken language, used by about 80% of people as a first or second language.

Senegal is a developing nation and is listed as a heavily indebted poor country. Most people live near the coast and work in agriculture or other food industries, with other key sectors including mining, tourism, and services. Because Senegal lacks many natural resources, the government focuses on improving education and literacy. The country is a member of several international groups, including the African Union, the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Etymology

The country of Senegal gets its name from the Senegal River. The river's name might have come from the Zenaga people, also called the Sanhaja. Another idea is that the name mixes a holy word from Serer religion (Rog Sene) with the Serer language words for "body of water." A French writer named David Boilat thought the name could also mean "our canoe" in the Wolof language.

History

Main article: History of Senegal

Early and pre-colonial eras

Archaeological findings show that Senegal was home to people in ancient times and has been lived in by many groups for a long time. Between the 6th and 14th centuries, several kingdoms formed, such as Takrur and the Jolof Empire. Eastern Senegal was once part of the large Ghana Empire.

Islam came to the area through groups like the Toucouleur and Soninke. Between 1300 and 1900, many people in the Senegambia region were taken from their homes because of wars.

In the 14th century, the Jolof Empire grew strong, uniting many lands such as Cayor, Baol, Siné, Saloum, Waalo, Futa Tooro and Bambouk. The empire was made up of many states that agreed to work together, not one that took over by force. It ended around 1549 after a battle.

Colonial era

Main articles: Senegambia (Dutch West India Company) and French conquest of Senegal

In the mid-1400s, Portuguese people arrived on the Senegal coast, followed by others like the French. European countries, including Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, all wanted to trade there.

In 1677, France took control of Gorée, an island near modern Dakar. They used it as a place to get people from the nearby areas.

Europeans brought Christianity to Senegal in the 1800s. The French started to take over more land in the 1850s after ending slavery. They took control of many kingdoms, except for the Serer Kingdoms of Sine and Saloum.

Yoro Dyao led a local area from 1861 to 1914. Senegalese people fought against the French, led by leaders such as Lat-Dior and Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof. In 1915, many Senegalese soldiers served with Australian forces.

The Battle of Dakar in 1940 was an attempt by Allied forces to take the port city from forces who supported Germany.

On 25 November 1958, Senegal became independent from France but still tied to it.

Independence

In 1959, Senegal joined with another country to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent in 1960. But the two countries separated in August 1960, and Senegal became its own nation.

Léopold Sédar Senghor became the first president in August 1960. He worked with Prime Minister Mamadou Dia, but in 1962, Dia tried to take control. The attempt failed, and Dia was arrested. Senegal changed its rules to give the president more power.

Senghor allowed some opposition groups to form in the 1970s. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Senegal had trouble with neighboring countries.

1980 to present

In 1980, Senghor left office, and Abdou Diouf took over. In the 1980s, Senegal joined with The Gambia in a confederation, but it ended in 1989. Since 1982, there has been conflict in the south Casamance region between separatists and government forces, though violence has lessened in recent years.

Diouf was president until 2000. In 1999, Abdoulaye Wade became president after a fair election. In 2012, Macky Sall won the election and was re-elected in 2019.

Since March 2021, Senegal faced protests after the arrest of Ousmane Sonko. In March 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became president. In November 2024, Senegal announced that France would remove its troops and close bases by the end of 2025.

In July 2025, France returned several military sites to Senegal.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Senegal

Senegal is a country where people choose their leaders. The leader, called the president, is chosen by voters every five years. Senegal has many political groups, and its main law-making group is the National Assembly with 150 members.

Senegal has a system where leaders are chosen by the people, which has worked well compared to some other countries in Africa after independence. Leaders work with important religious guides called marabouts, who help shape decisions. The country has strong ties with many world groups and works to help keep peace.

Senegal is divided into 14 main areas called regions. Each region has its own leader and is further split into smaller parts.

Further information: Foreign relations of Senegal

Senegal works closely with many countries and groups around the world. It has been part of important United Nations teams and keeps friendly ties with nearby nations.

Senegal has its own army, air force, navy, and gendarmerie. The military helps keep peace and has taken part in missions to support other countries. The military does not get involved in politics, which helps the country stay stable.

Senegal’s laws state that the country is separate from any one religion. The government has special offices to fight unfair practices and to make sure public money is used properly.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Senegal

Senegal is located on the western coast of Africa. It lies between latitudes 12° and 17°N, and longitudes 11° and 18°W. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Senegal almost surrounds The Gambia, which lies along the Gambia River.

The landscape of Senegal includes sandy plains and foothills, with its highest point being Baunez ridge near Nepen Diakha. Important rivers include the Senegal River, the Gambia, and the Casamance Rivers. The capital, Dakar, is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of Africa.

Main article: Geography of Senegal § Climate

Senegal has a tropical climate with distinct dry and wet seasons. The dry season, from December to April, brings hot, dry winds. The wet season occurs between June and October, with most of the year's rain falling during this time. Temperatures along the coast are milder, while inland areas can get much hotter. The southern part of Senegal receives more rainfall than the north.

Main article: Wildlife of Senegal

Economy

Main article: Economy of Senegal

Industry and trade

Three important roads for cars cross Senegal:

• Cairo-Dakar Highway (1)
• Dakar-Ndjamena Highway (5)
• Dakar-Lagos Highway (7)

Key industries in Senegal include food processing, mining, making cement, artificial fertilizer, chemicals, textiles, cleaning imported oil, and tourism. Senegal sells fish, chemicals, cotton, fabrics, peanuts, and calcium phosphate to other countries. Its biggest buyers are Mali (20.4%), Switzerland (12.2%), and India (8.3%).

Senegal works with other nearby countries to make trade easier and is part of groups like the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa.

The country got full Internet service in 1996, which helped grow technology jobs. Most of Senegal’s economy today comes from private businesses. However, many city people struggle to find work.

Senegal receives help from other nations, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Japan, France, and China. Since 1963, over 4,000 Peace Corps workers have helped in Senegal.

Agriculture

Fishing

Senegal has a special area for fishing that stretches 12 nautical miles from its coast. Fishing is important for the country, providing 3.2 percent of its money and jobs for around 600,000 people. But there are problems: too many fish are being caught, and some boats from other countries fish in Senegal’s waters without permission, which hurts local fishermen.

In May 2024, Senegal published a list of all boats allowed to fish in its waters to stop unfair fishing.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Senegal

Senegal has a population of about 18 million people, and many of them live in rural areas. The number of people in these areas changes depending on where you are, from about 77 people for every square kilometre in one part to just 2 people for every square kilometre in another.

Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in Senegal

Senegal is home to many different groups of people, and several languages are commonly spoken. Some of the main groups include the Wolof, Fula, Serer, Mandinka, Jola, and Soninke. There are also refugees from Mauritania living in Senegal.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Senegal

French is the official language and is used in schools and government. Many people also speak their own languages, with Wolof being widely used in Dakar. Other languages include Pulaar, Serer, and Jola. English is taught in schools, and some people speak Portuguese Creole, especially in Ziguinchor.

Largest cities

See also: List of cities in Senegal

Dakar, the capital, is the largest city with over two million people. Touba is the second largest city with over half a million people.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Senegal

Senegal is a secular country where most people practice Islam, followed by Christianity and traditional beliefs. Islamic holidays are widely celebrated. There are also small communities of other religions, including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Bahá'í.

Health

Main article: Health in Senegal

Life expectancy in Senegal is around 67 years. Health services are being improved, and a website called sunucmu.com was launched to help manage healthcare. Malaria is common throughout the country. In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce infant mortality and improve health outcomes.

Education

Main article: Education in Senegal

Education is free and required up to age 16, but many children still cannot attend school. French is the main language of instruction, though some schools also teach Portuguese. Many people, especially women, cannot read or write. The government is working to improve education and make it available to more children.

Culture

Senegal is famous for its storytelling tradition, carried out by people called griots. These storytellers keep West African history alive through their words and music, passing down their skills from one generation to the next.

The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, built in 2010, is the tallest statue in Africa. Dakar also holds a film festival called Recidak. Senegalese people celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, and many also enjoy Christmas with decorations and trees in the streets of Dakar.

Cuisine

Because Senegal lies along the Atlantic Ocean, fish is a very important part of its food. Chicken, lamb, peas, eggs, and beef are also common in Senegalese cooking, but pork is not eaten because most people are Muslim. Peanuts, the main crop of Senegal, along with couscous, white rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas, and many vegetables, are used in many dishes. Meats and vegetables are usually cooked in herbs and spices and then served with rice, couscous, or bread.

People in Senegal enjoy fresh juices made from bissap, ginger, the fruit of the baobab tree (called "monkey bread fruit"), mango, or soursop (known as corossol in French). Desserts are sweet and colorful, mixing local ingredients with French styles. They are often served with fresh fruit and followed by coffee or tea.

Music

Further information: Music of Senegal

Senegal is well-known for its music, especially a style called mbalax, which comes from the Serer tradition. Famous Senegalese musicians include Youssou N'Dour, Omar Pene, Ismael Lô, Cheikh Lô, Orchestra Baobab, Baaba Maal, and Akon. Sabar drumming is very popular, especially at celebrations like weddings. The tama is another instrument used by different groups in Senegal.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Senegal

Media

Main article: Media of Senegal

Hospitality

Hospitality is very important in Senegalese culture. The Wolof word for hospitality is "teranga," and it is so valued that the national football team is called Les Lions de la Téranga.

Sport

Senegalese people enjoy many sports, with wrestling and football being the most popular. Senegal will host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, making it the first African country to do so.

Senegalese wrestling is the country's most popular sport and is especially important for young men. It is the only sport that developed without Western influence.

Football is very popular in Senegal. The national team has won the Africa Cup of Nations several times. They have also done well in the FIFA World Cup.

Senegal has been strong in basketball, with both men's and women's teams achieving great success in African competitions. The country was also one of the first in Africa to start a competitive basketball league.

Senegal hosted the Paris–Dakar rally until 2007. This was a tough off-road race from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. The race stopped after 2007 because of safety issues in Mauritania. In 2021, Senegal also hosted the Ocean X-Prix, part of the Extreme E electric off-road championship.

The 2026 Summer Youth Olympics will be held in Dakar, Senegal.