Senegal
Official Country Name
Republic of Senegal
Senegal Overview
Independent from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled by the Socialist Party for forty years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The most significant threat within Senegal since the 1980s has been led by the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC). Although a peace agreement was signed in December 2004, internal rifts continue to keep the peace process deadlocked. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.
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 was 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 over 5% annually during 1995-2006. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the low single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Senegal was also beset by an energy crisis that caused widespread blackouts in 2006. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal will benefit from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt.
Senegal Location
Senegal is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Region
Senegal is located in Africa
Senegal Population
Senegal has population of 11,987,121 (July 2006 est.)
Senegal Climate
Senegal has tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
Senegal Terrain
generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast
Senegal Natural Resources
fish, phosphates, iron ore
Ethnic Groups in Senegal
Senegal has the following ethnic groups - Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
Senegal Religions
Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Senegal Languages
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Senegal Capital
Senegal capital is Dakar
Senegal Currency
Senegal currency is Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Map of Senegal
