Republic of Senegal

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country south of the Sénégal River in western Africa. Senegal is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. The Gambia lies almost entirely within Senegal, surrounded on the north, east and south; from its western coast, The Gambia's territory follows the Gambia River more than 300 km inland.

Relief and hydrography

Senegal is located on the west of the African continent. The Senegalese landscape consists mainly of the rolling sandy plains of the western Sahel which rise to foothills in the southeast. Here is also found Senegal's highest point, an otherwise unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha at 581 m. The northern border is formed by the Senegal River, other rivers include the Gambia and Casamance Rivers. The capital Dakar lies on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of continental Africa.

Climate

The local climate is tropical with well-defined dry and humid seasons that result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's annual rainfall of about 600mm (24 in) occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average 27°C (80.6°F); December to February minimum temperatures are about 17°C (62.6°F). Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 1.5m (59.1 in) annually in some areas.

Fauna and flora

Senegal offers excellent conditions for the development of an abundant wild fauna, although it cannot compete with the eastern and central African countries that possess far more forest belts. Yet, in Senegal, many parks and reserves have been created to protect the fauna.

Senegal is located on one of the principal migration paths of the wild avifauna, which makes it a large sanctuary for birds. You will particularly encounter birds in the Sine and Saloum’s delta, the Madeleine islands as well as in the Djoudj and the “Langue de Barbarie” national parks.

In the south- east, more wooded than the north, you may find the whole wild African fauna, gathered in the Niokolo Koba national park: elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, monkeys… As to the animals of the desert zones (wart hogs, jackals and tortoises), they are located in the north of Senegal.

Senegalese littoral waters are definitively well- stocked with fish. Thus, during the rainy season, you will fish for marlin and swordfish off Dakar, from a dugout or from the beach. In the Saloum, you will find barracudas and tunas. You may also dive to admire the submarine fauna of the Cap - Vert Peninsula. From Cap Skirring to Saint Louis, you may also witness the return of the fishermen: a must-see sight!

Government and political life

Politics of Senegal takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Senegal is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Senegal is one of the few African states that has never experienced a coup d'etat. Léopold Senghor, the first president after independence, abdicated in favor of his Prime Minister, Abdou Diouf in 1981.

The present president, Abdoulaye Wade, was elected in fully democratic elections in March 2000. Senegal has a reputation for transparency in government operations. The level of economic corruption that has damaged the development of the economies in other parts of the world is very low. Today Senegal has a democratic political culture, being part of one of the most successful democratic transitions in Africa. Senegal recognizes and respects all cultures, religions and traditions.

Change

The currency in Senegal is the "franc CFA", divisible in 100 cents. (one Euro = 656 CFA). The BCEAO, based in Dakar, provides the functions of central bank for all the States of West Africa members of the zone "franc".