Senegal

revised 15 October 1998

Senegal Information

Map of Senegal with the peoples discussed in "Art and Life in Africa" CD-ROM

General Information for Senegal

Country:

Senegal

Location:

West Africa

Independence:

August 20, 1960

Nationality:

Senegalese

Capital City:

Dakar

Population:

11,987,000

Important Cities:

Zinguinchor, Saint Louis, Rufisque

Head of State:

Abdoulaye Wade (2000)

Area:

196,190 sq.km.

Type of Government:

Multiparty Democratic Rule

Currency:

647.25 CFAF=1 USD

Major peoples:

Wolof,Fulani,Serer,Pular, Jola, Mandinka

Religion:

Muslim 92%, Christian 2%, African religion 6%

Climate:

Tropical

Literacy:

33.1%

Official Language:

French

Principal Languages:

Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Major Exports:

Fish, Phosphates, Cotton, Peanut, Petroleum Products

Pre-Colonial History

In the 13th and 14th centuries, during the time when the Jolof Empire was founded, the area that is now Senegal came under the influence of the great Mandingo empires to the east. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to trade in Senegal, arriving in the 15th century. They were soon followed by the Dutch and French. During the 19th century, the French gradually established control over the interior regions and administered them as a protectorate until 1920 and as a colony thereafter. After 1902, Dakar was the capital of all French West Africa. In 1964, a territorial assembly was elected by a restricted franchise and given advisory powers. These were gradually expanded, and the franchise broadened in succeeding years. After the 1958 French constitutional referendum, Senegal became a member of the French Community with virtually complete internal autonomy.

Post-Colonial History

In January 1959, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with France on April 4, 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the federation broke up on August 20, 1960; Senegal and Soudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) each proclaimed separate independence. Leopold Sedar Senghor was elected Senegal's first president in August 1960. After the breakup of the Mali Federation President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. Abdou Diouf assumed the presidency in 1981. He encouraged broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Despite chronic economic problems, tempestuous domestic politics that have, on occasion, spilled over into street violence, border tensions, and nagging and occasionally violent separatist movements in the southern Casamance region, Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights appears strong as the republic enters its fourth decade of independence.

Country:	Senegal
Location:	West Africa
Independence:	August 20, 1960
Nationality:	Senegalese
Capital City:	Dakar
Population:	11,987,000
Important Cities:	Zinguinchor, Saint Louis, Rufisque
Head of State:	Abdoulaye Wade (2000)
Area:	196,190 sq.km.
Type of Government:	Multiparty Democratic Rule
Currency:	647.25 CFAF=1 USD
Major peoples:	Wolof,Fulani,Serer,Pular, Jola, Mandinka
Religion:	Muslim 92%, Christian 2%, African religion 6%
Climate:	Tropical
Literacy:	33.1%
Official Language:	French
Principal Languages:	Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Major Exports:	Fish, Phosphates, Cotton, Peanut, Petroleum Products
Pre-Colonial History	In the 13th and 14th centuries, during the time when the Jolof Empire was founded, the area that is now Senegal came under the influence of the great Mandingo empires to the east. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to trade in Senegal, arriving in the 15th century. They were soon followed by the Dutch and French. During the 19th century, the French gradually established control over the interior regions and administered them as a protectorate until 1920 and as a colony thereafter. After 1902, Dakar was the capital of all French West Africa. In 1964, a territorial assembly was elected by a restricted franchise and given advisory powers. These were gradually expanded, and the franchise broadened in succeeding years. After the 1958 French constitutional referendum, Senegal became a member of the French Community with virtually complete internal autonomy.
Post-Colonial History	In January 1959, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with France on April 4, 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the federation broke up on August 20, 1960; Senegal and Soudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) each proclaimed separate independence. Leopold Sedar Senghor was elected Senegal's first president in August 1960. After the breakup of the Mali Federation President Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. Abdou Diouf assumed the presidency in 1981. He encouraged broader political participation, reduced government involvement in the economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly with other developing nations. Despite chronic economic problems, tempestuous domestic politics that have, on occasion, spilled over into street violence, border tensions, and nagging and occasionally violent separatist movements in the southern Casamance region, Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights appears strong as the republic enters its fourth decade of independence.