Senegal
Senegal is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea,
and Guinea-Bissau. The Gambia penetrates more than 320 kilometers
(200 mi.) into Senegal. Well-defined dry and humid seasons result
from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's
annual rainfall of about 61 centimeters (24 in.) occurs between June
and October when maximum temperatures average 27oC (82oF); December
to February minimum temperatures are about 17oC (63oF). Interior
temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases
substantially farther south, exceeding 150 centimeters (60 in.)
annually in some areas.
About 75% of Senegal's population is rural. In rural areas, density
varies from about 77 per square kilometer (200 per sq. mi.) in the
west-central region to 2 per square kilometer (5 per sq. mi.) in the
arid eastern section. About 50,000 Europeans (mostly French) and
Lebanese reside in Senegal, mainly in the cities. French is the
official language but is used regularly only by the literate
minority. All Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which
Wolof has the largest usage. |
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Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal
was inhabited in prehistoric times. Islam established itself in the
Senegal River valley in the 11th century; 95% of Senegalese today
are Muslims. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the
influence of the Mandingo empires to the east; the Jolof Empire of
Senegal also was founded during this time.
In January 1959, Senegal and the French Soudan merged to form the
Mali Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as
a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement
signed with France on April 4, 1960. Due to internal political
difficulties, the Federation broke up on August 20, 1960. Senegal
and Soudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) proclaimed independence.
Leopold Sedar Senghor, internationally known poet, politician, and
statesman, was elected Senegal's first President in August 1960.
After the breakup of the Mali Federation, President Senghor and
Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary
system. In December 1962, their political rivalry led to an
attempted coup by Prime Minister Dia. Although this was put down
without bloodshed, Dia was arrested and imprisoned, and Senegal
adopted a new constitution that consolidated the President’s power.
In 1980, President Senghor decided to retire from politics, and he
handed over power in 1981 to his handpicked successor, Abdou Diouf.
Abdou Diouf was President from 1981-2000. He encouraged broader
political participation, reduced government involvement in the
economy, and widened Senegal's diplomatic engagements, particularly
with other developing nations. Domestic politics on occasion spilled
over into street violence, border tensions, and a violent separatist
movement in the southern region of the Casamance. Nevertheless,
Senegal's commitment to democracy and human rights strengthened.
Diouf served four terms as President. In the presidential election
of 2000, he was defeated, in a free and fair election, by opposition
leader Abdoulaye Wade. Senegal experienced its second peaceful
transition of power, and its first from one political party to
another. Parliamentary and presidential elections were held in 2007. |
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