Official Name: Republic of Senegal

Alternate Names: Senegal

Former Names: Senegambia (included The Gambia), Mali Federation

Capital City: Dakar

Flag: The Senegalese flag has three equal vertical bands of green, yellow, and red with a small five-pointed green star in the middle of the yellow band.

Date of Independence: April 4, 1960 from France with complete separation from the Mali Federation on August 20, 1960.

National Anthem: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)

Population: 12,534,000

Size/Area: 196,723 sq km, slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land Locked: No

Coastline: 531 km

Bordering Countries: The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania

Administrative Divisions: Senegal is divided into 14 regions - Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sédhiou, Tambacounda, Thiès, Ziguinchor.

Major Cities: Dakar, Touba, Thiès, Kaolack, M'Bour, Saint-Louis, Rufisque, Ziguinchor

Languages: French (Official), Wolof, Soninke, Seereer-Siin, Fula, Maninka, Diola.

Religions: Islam, Christian, animism

Major Holidays: New Year's Day, Tamkharit (Ashoura), Independence Day (Apr 4), Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Ascension, Whit Monday, Assumption, Korité (End of Ramadan) (Sept 21), All Saints' Day (Nov 1), Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice), Tamkarit (Islamic New Year), Christmas Day.

Currency: CFA Franc

Currency Code: XOF

Highest Point: An unnamed place near Nepen Diakha at 581 m

Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean

Bordering Bodies of Water: Atlantic Ocean

Climate: Tropical. Hot and humid with a rainy rainy season from May to November. The dry season from December to April is dominated by a hot, dry, wind.

Major Industries: Food processing, mining, cement, artificial fertilizer, chemicals, textiles, refining imported petroleum, and tourism.

Major Agricultural Products: Peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables, cattle, poultry, pigs, fish

Natural Resources: Fish, phosphates, and iron ore

Time Zone: UTC

Interesting Facts: The capital city of Dakar is the western most point of Africa.


Tribes of Africa eBook


This eBook is the most complete listing of African tribes available on the internet. The first section of this book is the tribes sorted alphabetically by country. The second section is the tribes sorted alphabetically by tribe name.