Senegal

Full name of country: Republic of Senegal

Region: Africa

Official language: French

Population: 18,847,519 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Senegalese (singular and plural) (noun), Senegalese (adjective)

Land area: 192,530 sq km

Water area: 4,192 sq km

Capital: Dakar

National anthem: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons), by Leopold Sedar Senghor/Herbert Pepper

National holiday: Independence Day, April 4 (1960)

Population growth: 2.46% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +0

Flag: The flag of Senegal comprises three horizontal bands of green, yellow, and red. In the center of the yellow band is a five-pointed green star.

Motto: "Un peuple, un but, une foi" (One people, one goal, one faith)

Independence: April 4, 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on August 20, 1960

Government type: republic

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: civil law system based on French law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court

The Republic of Senegal is a small country that lies further west than any other nation on the African continent. Senegal's population is made up of numerous ethnic groups, predominantly the Wolof people. The republic gained independence from France in 1960, but the effects of French imperialism are still felt in Senegal.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Many ethnic groups make up the population of Senegal. The major ethnic groups are the Wolof (at 39.7 percent of the population according to 2019 estimates), Pular (27.5 percent), Serer (16 percent), Mandinka (4.9 percent), Jola (4.2 percent), and Soninke (2.4 percent). Other groups make up about 5.4 percent of the population, including Europeans and Lebanese.

The western part of the country is the most densely populated, especially in and around the capital city and major port, Dakar, which had an estimated population of 3.34 million in 2023. Approximately 49.6 percent of the population lived in urban areas in 2023. Touba, located to the east of Dakar in the central part of the country, is the second largest city in Senegal.

Most Senegalese people speak Wolof more frequently than French. However, French remains the official language and the language of business, as it is more heavily used in the urban centers such as Dakar. Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, and Soninke are also commonly spoken.

Religion is very important to the people of Senegal. Senegalese society and politics are strongly influenced by religious beliefs, thanks to the influence of Muslim leaders called marabouts. An estimated 97.2 percent of Senegalese are Muslim (2019 estimate), and their devotion to Islam is evident throughout the culture. Most Senegalese Muslims follow the mystic practice of Sufism, which is divided into branches called brotherhoods. The Muridiyyah (Mouride) and the Tijaniyyah are the two brotherhoods with the most members. Approximately 2.7 percent of Senegalese are Christian, mostly Roman Catholic (2019 estimate).

Indigenous People: Archaeological sites show evidence of consistent human presence in Senegal since Paleolithic times. While many different cultures have come and gone throughout history and political boundaries have also changed, the main ethnic groups in modern Senegal have lived in Western Africa for thousands of years. Senegal's Indigenous population was heavily impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, and it is estimated that eventually over one-third of the area's population was enslaved. Later colonial rule by France determined the borders of the modern state of Senegal and therefore which native ethnic groups were represented in the country.

Education: Despite a law requiring children to attend school from the ages of seven to sixteen, most do not and school expenses are unaffordable to many families. The lack of compliance with this law and the failure of officials to enforce it contribute to the poor education of the Senegalese. Only about 56.3 percent of Senegalese citizens over the age of fifteen are literate, with a stark gender disparity: 68.4 percent among males and 45.4 percent among females (2021 estimates). Very few adults have developed reading and writing skills in French, Wolof, Pular, Jola, or Mandinka.

Most Senegalese children are raised in a family learning environment that includes the teaching of basic life skills. Children are often expected to learn the family trade and agriculture, and usually learn history and cultural traditions through folklore and music. Most of the nation's schools were established by the French and are based on the Western system of education.

The Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Dakar was established in 1957 and had its origins in the School of Medicine in Dakar, founded in 1918. Formerly known as the University of Dakar, the university changed its name in 1987. Along with the École Inter États des Sciences et Médecine Vétérinaires (Interstate School of Veterinary Science and Medicine) in Dakar and the Université Gaston-Berger (formerly the University of Saint-Louis), UCAD is among the major higher education institutions in Senegal.

Health Care: Senegal struggles with a severe lack of medical facilities and doctors. There is high risk of viral and bacterial infections, including bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, dengue fever, schistosomiasis, meningococcal meningitis, and rabies. The infant mortality rate is relatively high, at 31.1 deaths per 1,000 live births according to 2024 estimates. The maternal mortality rate is also high, at 261 deaths per 100,000 live births (2020 estimate). Life expectancy at birth was estimated at 70.6 years for the total population, or 68.8 years for males and 72.4 years for females, in 2024. These challenges, along with low educational outcomes, contribute to a consistently high fertility rate, which in turn further strains the health care system.

Senegal's HDI value for 2022 is 0.517— which put the country in the Low human development category—positioning it at 169 out of 193 countries and territories which measures various quality-of-life indicators.

Food: Families and communities in Senegal eat in groups and share large bowls of millet, a grain which is the staple food in the Senegalese diet. Meals are eaten by hand and rolled into bite-sized portions to be eaten sparingly. Food in Senegal is commonly spiced and flavored with peanut sauce and herbs. Seafood is also an important part of Senegalese cuisine. The well-known dish poulet yassa originated in the Casamance region of Senegal.

Arts & Entertainment: Art is encouraged and promoted as an important part of culture in Senegal. The Senegalese government often funds art projects and exhibitions. Theater and literature are sponsored by the government because of their importance as vehicles for expression and social commentary. Many Senegalese people consider art a fundamental part of their lives. History and significance, or meaning, are regarded as the two most important factors in traditional art.

Clothing is also considered an art form in Senegal. Most men wear a long, lightweight garment called a boubou with baggy pants and a simple pair of flat, thin shoes; many women wear ornate, colorful boubous and handcrafted jewelry. Senegalese women are known for taking pride in the color and design of their clothing. Both men and women wear pagnes, which are cloth waist wraps worn informally.

Modern art forms such as film and pop music are also popular in Senegal, particularly in urban areas. Pop music is mainly dance music influenced by American and Caribbean beats. Senegalese pop musicians are known around the world for modernizing traditional African styles. Traditional Senegalese music is played on drums, such as the tahmal, and other percussion instruments, such as the balafon. Stringed music is often played on large gourd stringed instruments called koras.

Sports such as wrestling, cricket, and basketball are commonly played in Senegal. However, no sport is as popular in any Western African country as soccer (football), and there are numerous professional and amateur soccer clubs. The Senegalese national soccer team has historically been among the most successful African teams in international competition, with multiple FIFA World Cup appearances. The team has also competed in the African Cup of Nations, winning its first title in 2021, as well as the African Nations Championship, which it won for the first time in 2023.

Holidays: As Senegal is a predominantly Muslim nation, all major Islamic holidays are observed. Most Senegalese fast during daylight for the month of Ramadan, which ends with the most important Muslim holiday in Senegal, Korité (Eid al-Fitr). A number of Christian holidays are also observed.

Rites of passage and coming-of-age ceremonies are important to Senegalese society. Traditional dances such as the syniaka are incorporated into these gatherings to mark the transition into adulthood.

Secular public holidays in Senegal include New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (April 4), and Labor Day (May 1).

Environment and Geography

Topography: Senegal is a generally flat country that is covered by sandy plains and low hills. Sand dunes characterize the coastal areas, including Dakar, which lies at the tip of Cap-Vert.

The Gambia, a small, independent nation that occupies a strip of land running from the western shore and 200 kilometers (124 miles) up the Gambia River, is an important factor in Senegal's geography. Because of the location of the Gambia, Senegal is divided into a northern and a southern region. The region in the south is called the Casamance. The southern coast surrounding the Gambia has several inlets and bays, upon which several major cities are situated.

The coastal region, the Senegal River Valley, the Ferlo, the eastern region and the Casamance are geographic areas, but because of social struggles with the Gambia, the Casamance is a distinct political region as well. The Jola are the predominant ethnic group in the Casamance, although they make up fewer than 5 percent of the country's total population. A separatist movement advocating for an independent Casamance has been intermittently active under the leadership of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) since the 1980s.

Senegal's three major rivers, the Gambia, the Casamance, and the Senegal River, all extend from the Atlantic Ocean into neighboring countries. Other topographical features include Lake Guiers in the north, and the Fouta Djallon mountain range in the southeast.

Natural Resources: Senegal's natural resources include fish, phosphates, and iron ore. The country's key exports include fertilizers and agricultural products. Commercial fishing is also a major industry.

Plants & Animals: With high levels of hunting and the increasing development of urban areas, many of Senegal's native animal species have become endangered or extinct. The Senegalese populations of wild lions, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes have been drastically depleted by hunting, but also because of diseases carried by the African tsetse fly.

Wild elephants, chimpanzees, and crocodiles continue to inhabit Senegal, but in fewer numbers than in the past. The antelope, which lives primarily in the southern forests, is a more common example of Senegal's wildlife. There have been many efforts to preserve the region's remaining endangered species.

There is a great deal of rainfall in the Casamance, which allows for the growth of dense forests that are not typical in the drier northern areas. Rather, the northern region is characterized by rubber trees, baobabs, oil palms, mahogany, and rosewood trees. Many tropical fruits, such as mangoes, guavas, coconuts, oranges, and tamarinds grow among the abundant elephant grass that covers this region.

Climate: Western Africa has a hot, dry climate. Its terrain is classified as grassland, and much of the landscape is covered with patchy vegetation and sand. Average temperatures are quite high, ranging from about 22 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit) on the coast to about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) inland.

Like many African nations, Senegal has no winter or summer season, only a dry season and a wet season. The wet season lasts for several months and produces about 50 centimeters (20 inches) of annual rainfall in the northern regions. In the Casamance, rainfall is substantially higher, with an average of 165 centimeters (65 inches) annually. Storms are infrequent, but usually come in the form of violent rain and tornadoes.

Economy

Senegal is an underdeveloped nation and has long struggled with widespread poverty, which is compounded by health care and educational challenges. Although the nation's economy has increasingly been services-driven, many Senegalese remain employed in agriculture, often at a subsistence level. There is also a substantial informal economy, and corruption is rampant.

Dakar's activity as a trading port is crucial to the country's economy, as most of Senegal's exported and imported goods come through the capital city. France has long been a primary trading partner of Senegal. Other major trading partners include Mali, Switzerland, India, and China. In 2023 Senegal's gross domestic product (GDP; purchasing power parity) was estimated at US$77.382 billion, or US$4,400 per capita.

Industry: According to 2017 estimates, industry (not including services) accounted for 23.3 percent of Senegal's GDP and 22.5 percent of employment. Most manufacturing jobs are related to processing of agricultural and fish products, fertilizer production, and refining imported petroleum. Other important industries in Senegal include shipbuilding and repair, construction, and mining of phosphate, zircon, and gold.

Agriculture: The majority of Senegalese people living in rural areas are farmers. Groundnuts or peanuts are farmed throughout Senegal and provide the overwhelming majority of agricultural revenue. In fact, peanuts are among the largest economic resources in Senegal and a significant export.

Senegalese farmers are generally self-sufficient and consume most of the rice, millet, cassava, peanuts, corn, sorghum, cotton, tomatoes, and green vegetables they grow. Poultry, swine, and cattle are also raised. Senegal is not ideal for farming, however. The ground is sandy and rocky, and the only significant rainfall occurs in the southern region. Cotton and fish are notable exports.

Tourism: Over the years, tourist traffic has fluctuated considerably in Senegal due to various factors. Despite government-funded immersion programs for tourists interested in seeing the rural areas of Senegal, the political disputes in the Casamance have at times limited tourism to much of the country. The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also severely disrupted the tourism sector. Dakar and other parts of the coastal region remain the most popular spots for visitors.

Government

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, several European nations fought over territory in Africa, and France eventually took control of Senegal. French imperialism had a major impact on the country's sociopolitical fabric. In some ways, France helped Senegal become a developing nation, establishing key economic and political infrastructure. On the other hand, colonial oppression was often brutal, and the French removed all tribal chiefs from power in order to establish their own system of government.

After gaining independence in 1960, Senegal, unlike many African nations, did not undergo a coup or a military dictatorship. The country was initially led by Léopold Senghor, a poet who encouraged ethnic and religious tolerance under a uniquely African socialist system of government. The Socialist Party remained in power until 2000, when Abdoulaye Wade won the presidency. After a new constitution was adopted in 2001, Wade drew international criticism for pushing numerous amendments seen as consolidating his power. However, Wade lost an attempt to run for a third term in 2012 and Senegal maintained its reputation as one of the most stable democracies in Africa.

Despite this stability, Senegal has faced some substantial political problems. One is widespread corruption. Another is the history of strained relations between Senegal and the Gambia. From 1982 to 1989, there was an alliance between the two nations, called Senegambia, but the confederation dissolved. Particularly in the Casamance region of Senegal, the Gambians and Senegalese have fought over different ideas of independence. Some groups want Senegal and the Gambia to be a united nation, while others want them to remain separate. Most of the fighting in the Casamance is caused by rebels who want the Casamance to be an independent nation. An unofficial ceasefire agreement in 2012 improved the situation, but occasional violence has continued to break out.

Under the 2001 constitution, the Republic of Senegal has a democratic system of government led by a president, who has broad powers and serves a five-year term. A prime minister serves as head of government. (The office of the prime minister was abolished following elections in early 2019, but later reinstated.) The unicameral legislative branch is known as the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) and includes 165 members. The country's highest courts are the Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) and the Constitutional Council (Conseil Constitutionel).

Interesting Facts

• Pointe des Almadies, located at the northwestern end of the Cap-Vert peninsula, is the westernmost point in Africa.
• Gorée Island in Senegal was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
• In 2018, France announced that it would restore stolen artifacts to Senegal and other African nations that it once colonized.

Bibliography

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, UNDP, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

"Senegal." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/senegal. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

"Senegal." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.