Senegal, which is a country located in West Africa, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and borders Gambia (embedded in its territory), Mauritania to the north; Mali to the east; and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. It is also the country that is closest to the island of Cape Verde, 640 km away. Its capital is the city of Dakar, located at the westernmost point of the country.
Location map of Senegal, West Africa
Although it was already occupied by ancient tribes, by tribal groups converted to Islam and also by Portuguese colonization of the territory that today corresponds to Senegal took place from the 17th century onwards by the France. The country, by the way, was the only one of the French colonies to have its citizens recognized as citizens of France, a fact that occurred soon after the French Revolution together with the abolition of the slavery. In 1960, the country finally achieved its independence after separatist struggles that had been going on since the 19th century.
In 1982, Senegal – which had adopted an economic and political system self-styled “Islamic socialism” – decided to unite with Gambia, given that, together, the countries form a single area, with Senegalese territory being the only one bordering that area. parents. Thus, the
senegambia, which, however, was dissolved in 1989 after political differences between the leaders of the two countries.Senegal's population, according to 2014 data from the United Nations, is 14.54 million people. spread over an area of 196,720 km², which makes a population density of 73.9 inhabitants per kilometer square. The most populous city is the capital, Dakar, with around 2.2 million people. The predominant ethnic groups are the jalophos, you serer, you Fulas, the Tukulor, you diolas and the manding, while the most professed religion is Islam, which comprises about 87% of the population.
As it is located in a region very close to the sea, the local altitudes are not very high, with a relief formed by a large and extensive plain that has the savannas as vegetation superficial. The main rivers that supply the region are Senegal, Gambia and Casamanse, which group together the main local hydrographic basins.
Senegal's climate is semi-arid, mainly in the northern portions of its territory, which indicates the low influence of maritime climate on its temperatures and thermal variations throughout the year. The country is part of the call African Sahel, with a prolonged dry season and irregular and poorly distributed rains throughout the year, so much so that the Savannas are concentrated further south in the territory, where it usually rains a little more.
Senegal is considered a relatively industrialized country, although its industrial production corresponds to 22.7% of GDP, ahead of agriculture, with 15%, and behind the tertiary sector, with 61.9%. The main agricultural products are peanuts, tobacco, sugar cane, sorghum and tomato, while the industry stands out in mineral processing practices and in the production of fertilizers. It is also important to highlight the role of fishing in the economy, which finds a large export market in the countries of the European Union.
Below, you can check out some data and information about Senegal*:
Territorial Area: 196,720 km²
Capital: Dakar
Official language: French
Official Currency: CFA Franc
GDP (2012): 13,962 million dollars
GDP per capita: 1,017 dollars
Total population (2014): 14,458,171 km²
Inhabitants in urban areas: 43%
Inhabitants in rural areas: 56%
Demographic density: 73.9 inhab/km²
Annual population growth rate: 2.6%
Birth rate: 37‰
Mortality rate: 9‰
HDI (2013): 0.485 (low)
Life expectancy (2012): 59.6 years
Population with access to drinking water (2010) 72%
Population with access to the health network (2010): 52%
Economically Active Population (2012): 77.02%
Public spending on education (2010): 5.6% of GDP
Public spending on health (2010): 3.1% of GDP
_________________________
*Data source: IBGE - Countries
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
