Country Information on Senegal 

Terrain

Most of Senegal is a coastal plain, rising only in the extreme south-east, which is where the country's highest point is situated, in the Fouta Djalon foothills, at 580m. There are three major rivers: the Senegal in the north, which forms the border with Mauritania; the Gambia, and the Casamance. Desertification throughout the north of the country, caused by drought, overgrazing, and deforestation, is an ever-increasing problem, only partially alleviated by the Manantalli Dam on the Senegal river.

Climate

The climate is tropical, hot and humid. During the rainy season (April/May to October/November, depending on the region), strong south-easterly winds are typical. During the dry season (December to April) there is virtually no rain and the country is very hot inland.

Fauna/Flora

Vegetation in the north largely consists of savannah grassland with scattered clumps of palm trees, bushes and spiny shrubs. Further south, there are dense subtropical forests with baobab, bamboo, mahogany and teak trees. There are mangrove forests in the extreme west of the country, and in the river deltas of the Saloum and Casamance. Senegal's biological diversity is unique and boasts over 450 animal species. However, their habitats are mostly restricted to national parks.

Animal species include elephants, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, lions, monkeys, Arabian camels, antelopes, goats, hyenas, jackals, hares, porcupines, snakes, vultures and countless insect species. Senegal is important for migrating birds, which return in large numbers each winter from Europe, stopping at the Parc National aux Oiseaux du Djoudj, one of the most well-known bird reserves in the world. Nikolo-Koba National Park was declared a world cultural heritage site in 1981.

History/Politics

In Senegal, remains of palaeolithic and neolithic cultures have been discovered by archaeologists, but not much is known about these cultures. Around 500 AD, the peoples of the Wolof and the Serer migrated to what is now Senegal. In the 9th century, the Tukulor settled in the Senegal river valley. From the 11th to the 14th century, they ruled over the eastern part of Senegal, where the Wolof and Serer had already established various states.

In 1444, the Portuguese reached the mouth of the Senegal River and Cap Vert, and established trading posts. The Dutch and French managed to drive out the Portuguese in the 17th century; in the 18th century, France dominated trade in the whole coastal region. Despite conflict between Great Britain and France in the late 17th and in the 18th centuries, France managed to extend its power far inland.

In 1895, Senegal officially became a French colony, with the seat of administration first in Saint Louis, and from 1902 onwards in Dakar. After World War II, a territorial assembly was established, and citizens of the entire colony were given the right to vote. In April 1960, Senegal became fully independent as part of the Mali Federation, comprised of Senegal and French-Sudan (now Mali).

In August 1960, Senegal withdrew from the federation and became an independent republic. L. S. Senghor was appointed the country's first president and was re-elected in 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1978. A multi-party system was established by a constitutional amendment in 1976, and Senghor stepped down in 1980.

Abdou Diouf, who had been prime minister since 1970, became the country's new president. In 1982, Senegal joined with the Gambia to form the confederation of Senegambia. The union was dissolved in 1989 when Gambia gave refuge to members of the separatist Senegalese rebel group "Diole de Casamance" on Gambian soil. In 1991, the two nations signed a new treaty of co-operation.

The year 1992 again brought political unrest caused by the separatist Casamance group. Head of government Habib Thiam therefore decided to form a new cabinet in 1995, which included opposition members to alleviate political tension. In April 2001, Abdoulaye Wade followed president Diouf in office.

Economy

The country's economy remains largely dependent on the agricultural sector, which employs around 60% of the population. The government is trying to diversify agriculture and be self-sufficient in food.

The country's manufacturing sector is rated among the most-developed in West Africa. Major industries are food processing, the chemical and textiles industry, and metal processing. Among the country's most important raw materials are phosphate, salt and natural gas. In 2003, the average inflation rate was 0.2%, while unemployment reached 48%.

Culture

Like many African tribes, Senegal's main indigenous group, the Wolof, has a highly complex society, in which status is determined by birth. At the top of the social hierarchy are noble and warrior families, followed by farmers, traders, blacksmiths, leather workers, carpenters and weavers.

The griots (singers and story-tellers) are the next caste but are highly respected, as they are in charge of passing on oral traditions and are usually the only ones who can recite a family or village history. The descendants of former slaves occupy the lowest rung of the social ladder.