Flag of Senegal
République du Sénégal
- Réewum Senegaal (Wolof)
- Republic of Senegal (English)
- Capital » Dakar
Facts
- Population » 15.5 million
- Major languages » French (official), Wolof
- Religion » Islam
- Life expectancy » 65 years (men), 69 years (women)
- Currency » CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc
Geography
- Area » 196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles)
- Senegal is the westernmost country on the mainland
- Bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest, and almost completely surrounds The Gambia, the smallest country within mainland Africa
Map of Senegal (Source » France)
Maps
Tourism
- Embassy of the Republic of Senegal in Canada
- The Senegalese are known to be very friendly and hospitable.
- The standard greeting is “Salaam Aleikum” a greeting in Arabic that means ‘Peace be upon you’.
- Reply » “Wa-Alaikum-Salaam,” meaning “And unto you peace,
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes
- Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (1981)
- Over three million birds spend each winter on the 16,000 hectares of land make up Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
- Island of Gorée
- The island of Gorée was the first location in Senegal to be given World Heritage status. According to UNESCO, Gorée was the major slave trade center on the African coast centuries ago.
- Island of Saint-Louis
- Saint-Louis, an island city constructed in the center of the Senegal River Estuary, is a stunning work of architecture.
- Niokolo-Koba National Park
- Since 2007 listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger
- Saloum Delta
- Stone Circles of Senegambia
Overland and Road Safety
- Drive » Right side
- Senegal relies on imports of heavily used vehicles (often unsafe)
- In 2016, the average age of the vehicle fleet in Senegal was 18 years, with 40% older than 20 years, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
- According to the World Bank, the cost of road accidents represents 8% of Senegal’s annual GDP.
- Russo border crossing is notorious for aggressive fixers. (Itchy Boots – S7 – E26)
- Border crossing will not stamp a carnet, but issue a temporary 2 day pass to get to Dakar to have carnet stamped.
Vehicle Maintenance
- Recommended motorcycle shop by Noraly of Itchy Boots » Mad Bikes in Dakar.
Climate
- Tropical
- Hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds;
- Dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
Posts
Notes
- One of Africa’s most stable democracies (RSF)
- Formerly a French colony
- Saint-Louis was until 1957, the capital of Senegal and until 1902, the capital of French West Africa.
- Saint-Louis, Senegal’s traditional center for fishing, has faced many troubles over the past decade. Off-short oil drilling platform has brought the community much grief. (AP 2023)
Media
Resources
This page was updated May 16, 2023