State

Capital

Senegal

Dakar

Currency unit

CFA franc

Connections

Francophonie

Gambia

Islam

Sahel

West Africa

 Politics

 Economics

 Green

 Rights

 Climate

History

This was part of an African cultural area long in contact with Europe, through the Muslim kingdoms to the north. Part of it was within the ancient Mali Empire (14th century).

The towns of Gorée and St Louis were once centers of the slave trade and were occupied by Britain during various wars with France. However, Britain left in 1817 since when the French became the major influence.

The French colonial presence began here earlier than in the rest of Africa, from 1820s onwards. By 1865 there was a settled colony with a governor at Dakar. From 1880 the French occupied a large part of the interior. This was the first African territory where there were a significant number of Africans recognized as French citizens (by passing tests of education) from the early 20th century. Senegal was the core of the colony of French West Africa which included Soudan, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Niger, Dahomey, Togo, Guinea and Upper Volta. The federation was split on the achievement of self-government in 1958.

In 1958 there was an attempt to link the territory with the then French Soudan. The united country was to be called Mali. However the Soudan soon split off and called itself Mali.

Independent in 1960

As the French were building their colony, the British occupied the Gambia river valley. The two countries have been linked though did not merge, even though the people are of the same ethnic group.

Languages

Various African languages of Niger-Congo family

West Atlantic group

Wolof

Fula (Peulh)

Tukulor

Serer

French

 History

 Economics

 Green

 Rights

 Climate

Politics

Senegal adopted multi-party politics earlier than most other African states.

However, only with the elections of March 2000 did an opposition candidate win an election for the presidency.

Donal Cruise O'Brian - La construction de l'etat en Senegal

Les peuples du Senegal

 History

 Politics

 Green

 Rights

 Climate

Economics

 History

 Politics

 Economics

 Rights

 Climate

Green/Ecology

 History

 Politics

 Economics

 Green

 Climate

Human Rights

Climate effects

Last revised 30/12/11


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