Senegal Location : Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Capital City : Dakar
Curreny : Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Languages Spoken : French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Climate : tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
National Holiday : Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
Background Information
Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.
Geographical Note
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal
Economy
In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which is linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually during 1995-2001. Annual inflation had been pushed down to less than 1%, but rose to an estimated 3.3% in 2001. Investment rose steadily from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal also realized full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a miniboom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, trade union militancy, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction.
Religions
Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic)
Ports : Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: Senegalese separatists disrupt legal border trade with smuggling, cattle rustling, and other illegal activities in Guinea-Bissau
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Senegal
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