Senegal is located at advanced most Western of the African continent in the Atlantic Ocean, with the confluence of Europe, Africa and Americas, and with a crossroads of maritime and air main roads.

Of a surface of 196 722 km2, it is limited to north by Mauritania, the east by Mali, the south by Guinea and Guinea Bissau, in the west by Gambia, and the Atlantic Ocean on a frontage of 500 km.

Dakar (550 km2), the capital, is a peninsula located at the extreme West.

RELIEF - HYDROGRAPHY
Flat country on the sandy ground not exceeding 130 m of altitude except at the south-eastern border towards Guinea;
Three rivers cross the country of is in west: Senegal (1700 km) in north, Gambia (750 km) and Casamance (300 km) in the south.

CLIMATE - VEGETATION
Dry tropical climate characterized by two seasons: one season dries from November to June and a rain season from July to October.
Three types of vegetation: forest in the south, savanna in the center and steppe in north

POPULATION (2001)

The population of Senegal counts 9,8 million inhabitants in 2001 is an average density of 48 inhabitants to km2 Plus of 25% of the population is concentrated in the area of Dakar. The other pole of concentration is the center of the country (the basin arachidier) with more than 35 % of the population. Is country is very slightly populated.

Senegal counts a score of ethnos groups whose principal ones are the wolof (43 %), Pulaar (24 %), and the séréres (15 %).

The foreigners represent approximately 2 % of the population. They are especially present in the Dakar capital where one meets them in the international trade, industry, services and organizations. One also meets them in the North and the South of the country, in particular the nationals of the frontier countries.
Total population 2001 9.800.000 inhabitants
Urban population 41 %
Density 48 inhabitants with km2
Increase 2,8 % per annum
Young people 58 % have less than 20 years
Working population 42 %
Provided education for population 55,7 %
Religions 94 % Moslem
5 % Christian
1 % traditional Religions

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

Laic, independent state since 1960.

Pluralist presidential mode: the President of the Republic is elected by the vote for all and for five years. Current President of the Republic: Abdoulaye LAGGING, is elected for the first time on March 19, 2000, currently exercising its first mandate.

National Parliament of 120 members elected for five years.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

Eleven areas whose chief towns are the principal cities: Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Holy Louis, Tambacounda, Thiès, Ziguinchor.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DATA

PRINCIPAL PRODUCTIONS (1999)
Cereals (of which millet sorghum 72 %) 962.143 T
Groundnut 528.826 T
Fruit and vegetables 425.738 T
Poisson 394.961 T
Phosphates 1.878.400 T
Groundnut oils and oil cakes 238.200 T
Cement 898.400 T
Manure 177.800 T
Acid phosphoric 313.300 T
Salt 145.000 T
Printed cotton fabrics 206.400 T

RESOURCES

MINIERES

Attapulgite, basalt, limestones, iron ore, sandstone, marble, gold, phosphate, peat, oil, natural gas.

HYDRAULIC INSTALLATIONS:

Manantali and Diama dams, service within the framework of the Organization for the Development of the River Senegal (OMVS) with installation in the course of 245.000 ha of grounds;

HYDRAULIC PROJECTS:

Channel of Cayor for the supply water of the area of Dakar;
Barages de Balingor, Kékréti and Kouya within the framework of the Organization of the Development of the River Gambia (OMVG);
Revitalization of the fossil valleys: prospects for irrigation.

LIVESTOCK: 1999
Bovines 2.927.000 heads
Sheep 4.497.000 heads
Caprine 3.833.000 heads
Industrial poultry 22.987.000 heads

PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS EXPORT

Products arachidiers, fishery products, phosphates, manure, cotton in mass, acid phosphoric, salt and cement.

PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS IMPORT

Petroleum products, goods of equipment, cereals and foodstuffs, intermediate goods.

ECONOMIC CURRENCY AND AGREGATS
Currency Frank CFA
Parity fixes with euro 1 euro = 655,957 FCFA
Gross domestic product (2001) 3 331 billion franks CFA
PIB/habitant (1999) 327 400 FCFA
Investment (1999) 345 billion FCFA

TOURISM
Offer
A number of establishments 214
A number of rooms 8.472
A number of beds 17.586
Ask
A number of Arrivals 420.022
A number of Nights 1.560.057
Average rate of occupation 42,8 %
Average duration of stay 4,0 days
Receipts in currencies 101,4 billion FCFA