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Location
West Africa.
Time
GMT.
Area
196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles).
Population
12.4 million (UN estimate 2007).
Population Density
63 per sq km.
Capital
Dakar. Population: 2.51 million (official estimate 2005).
Geography
Senegal is bordered by Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau to the south, Mali to the east and Mauritania to the north, and encloses the confederated state of The Gambia. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most land is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, except for the Fouta Djallon foothills in the southeast and the Bambouk Mountains on the Mali border. On the coast between Dakar and St Louis is a strip of shifting dunes. South of Dakar there are shallow estuaries along the coastline, which is fringed by palm trees. In the northern part of the country, south of the Senegal Basin, lies the arid Fouta Ferlo, a hot dry Sahelian plain with little vegetation.
Government
Republic since 1963. Gained independence from France in 1960.
Head of State
President Abdoulaye Wade since 2000.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Sheikh Hadjibou Soumare since 2007.
Recent History
President Wade won re-election in February 2007, having originally come to power in 2000. He won 56% of the votes cast, avoiding the need for a second-round ballot.
Language
The official language is French. There are many local languages, principally Wolof. Other languages include Pulaar, Mandinka and Diola.
Religion
Around 94% Muslim, 5% Christian (mostly Roman Catholic with some Protestants) and a minority holds traditional beliefs.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Social Conventions
Greetings are appropriate when coming across local people, especially in the bush. Visitors should make the effort to learn these in one of the local languages, and a knowledge of basic French is also advisable. Handshaking on meeting, regardless of how many times a day one meets the person, is common. When visiting a village, it is polite to call upon the village headman or schoolteacher to explain that you want to spend the night there or visit the area. They will often act as an interpreter and will be helpful guides to the customs of the village and also in terms of money, ensuring that a traveller does not find himself in the embarrassing position of paying for hospitality that was given in friendship. Always accept offerings, and return hospitality with a gift of medicines, food or money for the community. It is not advisable to give money indiscriminately as tourists have encouraged the practice of begging. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Scanty swimwear should be reserved for the beach. Smoking is prohibited in some public places (especially mosques).