Senegal is a country in West Africa, which surrounds The Gambia on three sides and is bordered on the north by Mauritania, on the east by Mali, and on the south by Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Dakar is the capital and largest city. Dakar sits on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of Africa.
Senegal is Africa's 34th largest country and one of its fastest growing economies. It is a multi-lingual country, with French being the official language and Wolof being the most widely spoken language. Senegal is a majority Muslim country, with more than 90% of the population practicing Islam. But both socially and culturally the traditional/religious and the modern/worldly live side by side in relative peace. Senegalese people are known for their “teranga”, a Wolof word which characterizes the values of respect, community and sharing.
Senegal has a rich cultural scene. It’s well known for its tradition of storytelling, which is done by griots who have kept West African history alive for thousands of years through words and music. Gris gris wrestling is a national sport in Senegal and is also very popular. Senegal hosts several acclaimed festivals, including the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival, Dak’Art Biennale, and the Abene Festival.
Senegal has numerous tourist attractions, including the African Renaissance Monument, the Museum of Black Civilizations, Goree Island, the Pink Lake, the Sine-Saloum Delta, the beaches of the Petite Coast, and Saint-Louis, the former French colonial capital.
