Senegal

Senegal

• The name Senegal comes possibly from “Sunu gaal”, which means “our fishing boat”
• Senegal is known as the land of sun, sand and stability.
• The country gained independence from France in 1960.
• Senegal is located on the most western part of the African continent. The Senegalese landscape consists mainly of rolling sandy plains of the western Sahel which rise to foothills in the southeast. Senegal's highest point is here, an otherwise unnamed feature at just 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. Dakar is known as the Gateway to Africa.
• Senegal is well known for its hospitality – “teraanga”.
• The Senegalese are a peace-loving people. A proverb says: “Peace is everything”. Another proverb says: “A lie that repairs is better than a truth that breaks apart.”
• There is freedom of religion here.
• Casamance, in the south of the country, has had problems with rebellious attacks on villages and travellers.
• Many people from the villages go to the capital Dakar in the hope of finding jobs. Many stay with relatives in small, overcrowded rooms. Most of them will not find a job. Dakar faces huge problems regarding traffic, sanitation (garbage) etc, because of overpopulation.
• Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, socioeconomic disparity, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction.
• The Dakar University receives many students from Western and Central Africa.