Country Information on Senegal

Terrain Most of Senegal is coastal plain, rising only in the extreme southeast. This is also where the country's highest point is situated, namely in the Fouta Djalon foothills, which rise up to around 580 m. Senegal is washed by three 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 to October or May to November, depending on the region) strong south-easterly winds are typical. During the dry season (December to April) there is virtually no precipitation and the country's central part is characterized by intense heat. Fauna/Flora Vegetation in the north largely consists of savannah grass with scattered clumps of palm trees, bushes and spiny shrubs. Farther south, there are dense subtropical forested areas with baobab, bamboo, mahogany and teak trees. There are mangrove forests in the extreme west of the country, in the river deltas of Saloum and Casamance. Senegal's biological diversity is unique and boasts over 450 animal species. However, the habitats are mostly restricted to national parks. Animal species include elephants, hippopotami, crocodiles, lions, monkeys, Arabian camels, antelopes, goats, hyena, jackals, hares, porcupines, snakes, vultures and innumerable insect species. Senegal is also important for migrating birds, particularly water fowl, which return in large numbers each winter from Europe, stopping at the Parc National aux Oiseaux du Djoudj. Nikolo-Koba National Park was declared a world cultural heritage in 1981. History/Politics In Senegal remains of palaeolithic and neolithic cultures have been discovered by archaeologists, still, not much is known about these cultures. Around 500 AD the peoples of the Wolof and the Serer migrated from the north-east into the territory of today's Senegal. In the 9th century the Tukulor settled in the Senegal River valley, and their mighty empire ruled over the eastern part of Senegal from the 11th to the 14th century, where various Wolof and Serer states had been in power before. 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, from 1700 on France dominated trade in the whole coastal region. Despite conflict between Great Britain and France in the late 17th and in the 18th century, France could extend its sphere of influence far into the country's interior. In 1895 Senegal officially became a French colony, with the seat of administration first in Saint Louis, from 1902 on 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 (comprising Senegal and former French-Sudan, today's Mali). In August 1960 Senegal withdrew from the federation and became a separate republic. L. Senghor was appointed the country's first president and was re-elected in 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1978. A multiparty system was established by constitutional amendment in 1976, and Senghor stepped down in 1980. Abdou Diouf, who had been prime minister since 1970, took office as 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 cooperation. The year 1992 again brought political unrest with the separatist Casamance group. Therefore, head of government Habib Thiam decided to form a new cabinet in 1995, with opposition members included 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, particularly on exporting cassava. App. 60% of Senegal's active population is employed in agriculture. Government attempts are being made to diversify agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food. The country's manufacturing sector is rated among the most-developed in West Africa. Major industries are food processing, chemical and textile industry, and metal processing. Among the country's most important raw materials are phosphate, salt, and natural gas. The unemployment rate of urban youth is around 40%, annual inflation rate amounts to 2%. Culture Like many African tribes, Senegal's main indigenous group, the Wolof, has a highly stratified society, wherein status is determined by birth. At the top of the social hierarchy are traditional noble and warrior families, followed by farmers, traders, and persons of caste - blacksmiths, leather workers, wood workers, weavers and griots (gree-oh). The griots (singers and story-tellers) are the lowest of the castes but are highly respected, as they are in charge of passing on the 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.