Senegal

{{Short description|Country in West Africa}} {{About|the country|the river|Senegal River}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox country | conventional_long_name = Republic of Senegal | native_name = {{native name|fr|République du Sénégal}} | common_name = Senegal | image_flag = Flag of Senegal.svg | image_coat = Coat of arms of Senegal (official version).svg | image_map = Senegal (orthographic projection).svg | map_caption = {{map caption|location_color=dark green}} | image_map2 = | national_motto = {{native phrase|fr|"Un peuple, un but, une foi"|nolink=yes}}<br/>{{native phrase|wo|"Benn Askan, Benn Jubluwaay, Benn Pas-Pas"|nolink=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Raaya ak bàkku Senegaal |trans-title=The flag and motto of Senegal |url=https://www.presidence.sn/wo/presidence/le-drapeau-et-la-devise-du-senegal |lang=wo |publisher=Presidency of Senegal}}</ref><br/>({{langx|en|"One People, One Goal, One Faith"}}) | national_anthem = {{lang|fr|Le Lion rouge}}<br />({{langx|en|"The Red Lion"}}){{parabr}}{{center|File:National Anthem of Senegal.ogg}} | official_languages = French | languages_type = National languages | languages = {{hlist|Wolof{{Efn|name=WolofStatus|Information from the University of Pennsylvania's Center for African Studies estimates that about 90% of the Senegalese population understands or speaks Wolof as a first or second language.<ref>{{Cite web |title=African Studies Center{{!}} African Languages at Penn |url=https://www.africa.upenn.edu/afl/alwolof.htm |access-date=20 March 2023 |website=Center for African Studies at University of Pennsylvania |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129152750/https://www.africa.upenn.edu/afl/alwolof.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>}}|Serer|Diola<ref>{{Cite book |last=Falola |first=Toyin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fhADwAAQBAJ&dq=Arabic+Status+in+Senegal&pg=PT190 |title=Africanizing Knowledge: African Studies Across the Disciplines |date=30 November 2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-32438-0 |pages=190 |language=en}}</ref>|Pulaar|Soninke|Mandinka{{Efn|name=SenegalNationalLangs|Article 1 of the 2001 Constitution of Senegal, which states that the national languages are Diola, Malinké, Pular, Sérère, Soninké and Wolof.<ref name="Languages">{{Cite web |title=Senegal's Constitution of 2001 with Amendments through 2016 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2016.pdf?lang=en |website=Constitute Project |language=en |access-date=20 March 2023 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410075501/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2016.pdf?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>}}}} | ethnic_groups = {{ubl| 39.7% Wolof |27.5% Fula |16.0% Serer |4.9% Mandinka |4.2% Jola |2.4% Soninke |5.4% others}} | ethnic_groups_ref = <ref name="CIA Factbook">{{cite web |title=Senegal |date=23 August 2022 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/ |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204143936/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ethnic_groups_year = 2019 | religion = {{ubl | 89% Islam | 10% Christianity | 1% Traditional faiths}} | religion_year = 2024 | religion_ref = <ref name="Pew Research">{{Cite web |title=Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life / Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/06/sub-saharan-africa-chapter-1.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518203729/https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/06/sub-saharan-africa-chapter-1.pdf |archive-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Pew Research}}</ref> | demonym = Senegalese | capital = Dakar | coordinates = {{Coord|14|40|N|17|25|W|type:city}} | largest_city = capital | government_type = Unitary semi-presidential republic | leader_title1 = President | leader_name1 = Bassirou Diomaye Faye | leader_title2 = Prime Minister | leader_name2 = Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo | leader_title3 = President of the National Assembly | leader_name3 = Ousmane Sonko | legislature = National Assembly | area_rank = 86th  | area_km2 = 196,722<ref name="CIA Factbook"/> | area_sq_mi = 75,955 | percent_water = 2.1 | population_estimate = {{Increase}} 18,847,519<ref name="CIA Factbook"/> | population_estimate_year = 2024 | population_estimate_rank = 68th | population_census_rank = | population_census = | population_census_year = | population_density_km2 = {{density|18,847,519|196,722}} | population_density_rank = | GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $105.428 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.SN">{{cite web |url= https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april/weo-report?c=722,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2023&ey=2030&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 Edition. (Senegal) |publisher=International Monetary Fund |date=10 April 2025 |access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> | GDP_PPP_rank = 100th | GDP_PPP_year = 2025 | GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase }} $5,498 <ref name="IMFWEO.SN" /> | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 150th | GDP_nominal_rank = 103rd | GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $34.728 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.SN" /> | GDP_nominal_year = 2025 | GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase }} $1,811<ref name="IMFWEO.SN" /> | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 154th | established_event1 = Republic established | established_date1 = 25 November 1958 | sovereignty_type = Independence | established_event2 = Independence from France{{efn|With French Sudan, as the Mali Federation.}} | established_date2 = 20 June 1960 | established_event3 = Withdrawal from<br />the Mali Federation | established_date3 = 20 August 1960 | established_event4 = Dissolution of the Senegambia Confederation | established_date4 = 30 September 1989 | established_event5 = | established_date5 = | established_event6 = | established_date6 = | Gini_year = 2011 | Gini_change =  | Gini = 40.3  | Gini_ref = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/ |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank |access-date=2 March 2011 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225120531/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/%20 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Gini_rank = | HDI = 0.530  | HDI_year = 2023 | HDI_change = increase | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref> | HDI_rank = 169th | currency = West African CFA franc | currency_code = XOF | country_code = | utc_offset = ±00:00 | time_zone = GMT | time_zone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | calling_code = +221 | cctld = .sn | flag_p1 = Flag of Mali (1959–1961).svg | today = }}

'''Senegal''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Senegal.ogg|ˌ|s|ɛ|n|ə|ˈ|ɡ|ɔː|l|,_|-|ˈ|ɡ|ɑː|l}};<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Senegal |title=Definition of Senegal |publisher=The Free Dictionary |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523052551/https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Senegal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Senegal |title=Define Senegal |dictionary=Dictionary.com |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225517/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/senegal |url-status=live }}</ref> {{langx|fr|Sénégal}}}} officially the '''Republic of Senegal''',{{efn|{{langx|fr|link=no|République du Sénégal}}}} is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated along the Atlantic Ocean coast. It borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds the Gambia, a country occupying a narrow strip of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates Senegal's southern region of Casamance from the rest of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2018 |title=Which Countries Border The Gambia? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-countries-border-the-gambia.html |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=WorldAtlas |archive-date=25 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925074027/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-countries-border-the-gambia.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2020 |title=Why is The Gambia Surrounded by Senegal? |url=https://www.trazeetravel.com/why-is-the-gambia-surrounded-by-senegal/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Trazee Travel |language=en-US |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003032201/https://www.trazeetravel.com/why-is-the-gambia-surrounded-by-senegal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde. The capital and largest city of Senegal is Dakar.

Senegal is the westernmost country in the mainland of the Old World, or Afro-Eurasia.<ref>Janet H. Gritzner, Charles F. Gritzner – 2009, Senegal – Page 8</ref> It owes its name to the Senegal River, which borders it to the north and east.<ref>{{Cite web |last=culturetrip |date=31 May 2018 |title=The Real Story Behind Senegal's Name |url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Culture Trip |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206024446/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The climate is typically Sahelian, with a rainy season. Senegal covers a land area of almost {{convert|197,000|km2}} and has a population of around 18 million.{{UN Population|ref}} The state is a semi-presidential republic; since the country's foundation in 1960, it has been recognized as one of the most stable countries on the African continent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/senegal/overview |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=World Bank |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130123208/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/senegal/overview |url-status=live }}</ref> On the 2024 V-Dem Democracy Indices, Senegal is ranked 68th in electoral democracy worldwide and 10th in electoral democracy in Africa.<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The state was formed as part of the independence of French West Africa from French colonial rule. Because of this history, French is the official language, but it is understood by only a small minority of the population.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=Jacques Leclerc|date=4 October 2010|title=Sénégal|url=http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/senegal.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229121849/http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/senegal.htm|archive-date=29 February 2012|access-date=17 March 2012|website=Trésor de la langue française au Québec}}</ref> Over 30 languages are spoken in Senegal. Wolof is the most widely spoken, with 80% of the population speaking it as a first or second language,<ref name="What Languages Are Spoken in Senegal?">{{cite web |last=Pariona |first=Amber |date=27 September 2017 |title=What Languages Are Spoken in Senegal? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-senegal.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 October 2022 |website=WorldAtlas |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004131156/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-senegal.html}}</ref> acting as Senegal's ''lingua franca'' alongside French. Arabic and Pulaar also remain popular among certain communities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gueye |first1=Massamba |date=17 November 2022 |title=Wolof is reclaiming ground in Senegal as the French language wanes |url=https://theconversation.com/wolof-is-reclaiming-ground-in-senegal-as-the-french-language-wanes-194750 |doi=10.64628/AAJ.xvjeydjhj |editor-first1=Moina |editor-first2=Assane |editor-last1=Spooner |editor-last2=Diagne}}</ref> Like other African nations, the country includes a wide mix of ethnic and linguistic communities, with the largest being the Wolof, Fula, and Serer people. Senegalese people are predominantly Muslim.<ref name=":0b">{{cite web |title=Senegal, a Muslim Country that Can't Get Enough Christmas |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_senegal-muslim-country-cant-get-enough-christmas/6181575.html |last=Hammerschlag |first=Annika |date=24 December 2019 |access-date=30 November 2022 |publisher=VOA |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130123919/https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_senegal-muslim-country-cant-get-enough-christmas/6181575.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a developing nation, Senegal is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, with a relatively low ranking on the Human Development Index (169th out of 193). Most of the population lives on the coast and works in agriculture or other food industries; other major industries include mining, tourism, and services.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Systematic Country Diagnostic of Senegal|date=4 October 2018|publisher=World Bank|doi=10.1596/30852|hdl=10986/30852|s2cid=240089232|url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/336611539873310474/Senegal-Systematic-Country-Diagnostic }}</ref> The historic lack of natural resources in Senegal has redirected efforts towards increasing literacy and educational attainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Senegal, a small country, is good at providing international organisations with leaders |url=https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/why-senegal-small-country-good-providing-international-organisations-leaders |access-date=30 November 2022 |website=D+C |date=21 November 2014 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130121716/https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/why-senegal-small-country-good-providing-international-organisations-leaders |url-status=live }}</ref> Senegal is a member state of the African Union, the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Community of Sahel–Saharan States.

== Etymology == The country of Senegal is named after the Senegal River. The name of the river may derive from a Portuguese transliteration of the name of the Zenaga, also known as the Sanhaja.<ref name="fass">{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/|title=The Real Story Behind Senegal's Name|first=Beetle|last=Holloway|website=Culture Trip|date=31 May 2018|access-date=31 December 2018|archive-date=6 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206024446/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alternatively, it could be a combination of the supreme deity in Serer religion (''Rog Sene'') and ''o gal,'' meaning ‘''body of water’'' in the Serer language. French author and priest David Boilat proposed that the name comes from the Wolof phrase "sunuu gaal", which means "our canoe".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holloway |first=Beetle |date=31 May 2018 |title=The Real Story Behind Senegal's Name |url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=Culture Trip |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206024446/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/senegal/articles/the-real-story-behind-senegals-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History == {{main|History of Senegal}}

=== Early and pre-colonial eras === Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal was inhabited in prehistoric times and has been continuously occupied by various ethnic groups. Some kingdoms were created between the 6th and 14th centuries, such as Takrur in the 6th century, Namandiru, and the Jolof Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries. Eastern Senegal was once part of the Ghana Empire.

Islam was introduced by the Toucouleur and Soninke through their contact with the Almoravid dynasty of the Maghreb, who helped spread it with their Toucouleur allies. This movement faced resistance from ethnicities of traditional religions, the Serers in particular.<ref>Klein, Martin A., ''Islam and Imperialism in Senegal: Sine-Saloum, 1847–1914'', p. 7, Edinburgh University Press (1968) {{ISBN|0-8047-0621-2}}</ref><ref>Gravrand, Henry, ''La civilisation Sereer, Pangool,'' p. 13. Dakar, Nouvelles Editions Africaines (1990), {{ISBN|2-7236-1055-1}}</ref>

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the influence of empires to the east; the Jolof Empire was also founded during this time. In the Senegambia region, between 1300 and 1900, close to one-third of the population was enslaved, typically as a result of being taken captive in warfare.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24157 "Slavery"], ''Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006131931/http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24157 |date=6 October 2014 }}</ref>

In the 14th century, the Jolof Empire grew more powerful, having united Cayor and the kingdoms of Baol, Siné, Saloum, Waalo, Futa Tooro and Bambouk, covering much of what is now Senegal and part of present-day West Africa. The empire was a voluntary confederacy of various states rather than a state built on military conquest.<ref name=charles/><ref>Ham, Anthony. ''West Africa''. Lonely Planet. 2009. p. 670. {{ISBN|1-74104-821-4}}</ref> The empire was founded by Ndiadiane Ndiaye, a part Serer<ref>''Research in African literatures,'' Volume 37. University of Texas at Austin, p. 8. African and Afro-American Studies and Research Center, University of Texas (at Austin) (2006)</ref><ref>Diop, Cheikh Anta & Modum, Egbuna P. ''Towards the African renaissance: essays in African culture & development,'' 1946–1960, p. 28. Karnak House (1996). {{ISBN|0-907015-85-9}}</ref> and part Toucouleur, who was able to form a coalition with many ethnicities, but collapsed around 1549 following the defeat and death of Lele Fouli Fak at the hands of Amari Ngone Sobel Fall.

=== Colonial era === {{Main|Senegambia (Dutch West India Company)|French conquest of Senegal}}

[[File:AMH-8133-KB Floor plan of the fort on Goeree.jpg|thumb|left|The Portuguese Empire was the first European power to colonize Senegal, beginning with the arrival of Dinis Dias in 1444 at Gorée Island and ending in 1888, when the Portuguese gave Ziguinchor to the French.]]

In the mid-15th century, the Portuguese landed on the Senegalese coast, followed by traders representing other countries, including the French.<ref name="ross"/> Various European powers—Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain—competed for trade in the area from the 15th century onward.

In 1677, France gained control of what had become a minor hub in the Atlantic slave trade: the island of Gorée, near modern Dakar, used as a base to purchase enslaved people from the warring chiefdoms on the mainland.<ref name="h-net.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.h-net.org/~africa/threads/goree.html |title=Goree and the Atlantic Slave Trade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223164258/http://www.h-net.org/~africa/threads/goree.html |archive-date=23 February 2017|url-status=dead |publisher=h-net.org |access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref><ref>''Les Guides Bleus: Afrique de l'Ouest'' (1958 ed.), p. 123.</ref>

European missionaries introduced Christianity to Senegal and the Casamance in the 19th century. It was only in the 1850s that the French began to expand onto the Senegalese mainland, after they abolished slavery and began promoting an abolitionist doctrine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohio.edu/chastain/rz/senegal.htm|author=Bruce Vandervort|date=25 October 2004|website=ohio.edu|title=Senegal in 1848|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327051002/https://www.ohio.edu/chastain/rz/senegal.htm|archive-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> adding native kingdoms like the Waalo, Cayor, Baol, and Jolof. French colonists under Governor Louis Faidherbe progressively invaded and took over all the kingdoms, except the Serer Kingdoms of Sine and Saloum.<ref name=charles>Charles, Eunice A. '' Precolonial Senegal: the Jolof Kingdom, 1800–1890.'' African Studies Center, Boston University, 1977. p. 3</ref><ref>Klein, Martin A. ''Islam and Imperialism in Senegal: Sine-Saloum, 1847–1914,'' Edinburgh University Press (1968). p. X {{ISBN|0-8047-0621-2}}</ref>

[[File:Marchands d'esclaves de Gorée-Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur mg 8526.jpg|thumb|upright|French and local slave traders in Gorée, 18th century]] Yoro Dyao was in command of the canton of Foss-Galodjina and was set over Wâlo (Ouâlo) by Louis Faidherbe,<ref name="Royal II">{{cite book |title=Journal of the African Society |date=1912 |publisher=MacMillan |location=Africa |edition=Volume 11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LUs8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA476|page=476}}</ref> where he served as a chief from 1861 to 1914.<ref name="Wolof">{{cite book |title=1851–1865 |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries |page=167 |url=http://images.library.wisc.edu/AfricanStudies/EFacs/Fage01/reference/africanstudies.fage01.i0021.pdf |access-date=12 November 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019101207/http://images.library.wisc.edu/AfricanStudies/EFacs/Fage01/reference/africanstudies.fage01.i0021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Senegalese resistance to the French expansion was led in part by Lat-Dior, Damel of Cayor, and Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof (the Maad a Sinig, King of Sine), resulting in the famous Battle of Logandème―the battle in which the Serer King of Sine went to war against the mighty French colonial empire, where the French decided to take revenge against Sine following their humiliating defeat at the Battle of Djilor. The Battle of Logandème was the first battle on Senegambian soil in which the French employed cannonballs.<ref>Diouf, Niokhobaye, "Chronique du royaume du Sine", Suivie de notes sur les traditions orales et les sources écrites concernant le royaume du Sine par Charles Becker et Victor Martin. (1972). Bulletin de l'Ifan, Tome 34, Série B, n° 4 (1972), p. 725 (p. 16)</ref><ref>Diouf, Cheikh, "Fiscalité et Domination Coloniale: l'exemple du Sine: 1859-1940", Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (2005)</ref><ref>Klein, Martin A., "Islam and Imperialism in Senegal, Sine-Saloum, 1847-1914." Edinburgh University Press, pp. 55-59, {{ISBN|0-85224-029-5}}</ref><ref>Le Quotidien (Senegal), "La communauté sérère face à la Commission nationale chargée de la rédaction de l’histoire du Sénégal." (18 September 2019), by Mahawa Sémou Diouf</ref>

The Battle of Dakar (23–25 September 1940) was an unsuccessful Allied attempt to capture the strategic port and overthrow the pro-German Vichy French colonial administration.<ref>Smith, Colin (2010). ''England's Last War Against France: Fighting Vichy 1940-1942''. London: Phoenix.</ref>

On 25 November 1958, Senegal became an autonomous republic within the French Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/15/travel/senegal.html|date=15 July 2004|work=The New York Times|title=Senegal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327062010/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/15/travel/senegal.html|archive-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref>

=== Independence === [[File:Mali Federation in its region.svg|thumb|The short-lived Mali Federation]]In January 1959, Senegal and the French Sudan merged to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent on 20 June 1960, as a result of a transfer of power agreement signed with France on 4 April 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the Federation broke up on 20 August 1960 when Senegal and French Sudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) each proclaimed independence.

Léopold Sédar Senghor was elected Senegal's first president in August 1960. Pro-African, Senghor advocated a brand of African socialism.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Critical bibliography of French literature: in three parts. The Twentieth |editor-last=Cabeen |editor-first=David Clark |editor-last2=Brooks |editor-first2=Richard A. |editor-last3=Alden |editor-first3=Douglas W. |publisher=Syracuse University Press |date=1 January 1980}}</ref>

After the breakup of the Mali Federation, Senghor and Prime Minister Mamadou Dia governed together under a parliamentary system. In December 1962, their political rivalry led to an attempted coup by Dia. The coup was put down without bloodshed, and Dia was arrested and imprisoned. Senegal adopted a new constitution that consolidated the President's power. thumb|People in Dakar in 1962 Senghor was considerably more tolerant of opposition than most African leaders of the 1960s. Nonetheless, political activity was somewhat restricted for a time. Senghor's party, the Senegalese Progressive Union (now the Socialist Party of Senegal), was the only legally permitted party from 1965 until 1975. In the latter year, Senghor allowed the formation of two opposition parties that began operation in 1976—a Marxist party (the African Independence Party) and a liberal party (the Senegalese Democratic Party).

The 1960s and early 1970s saw persistent violations of Senegal's borders by the Portuguese military from Portuguese Guinea. In response, Senegal petitioned the United Nations Security Council in 1963, 1965, 1969 (in response to shelling by Portuguese artillery), 1971 and 1972.

=== 1980 to present === In 1980, Senghor decided to retire from politics. In 1981, he transferred power to his hand-picked successor, Abdou Diouf. Former prime minister Mamadou Dia, who was Senghor's rival, ran for election in 1983 against Diouf, but lost.

In the 1980s, Boubacar Lam discovered Senegalese oral history that was initially compiled by the Tuculor noble, Yoro Dyâo, not long after World War I, which documented migrations into West Africa from the Nile Valley; ethnic groups, from the Senegal River to the Niger Delta, retained traditions of having an eastern origin.<ref name="AfrAm">{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Jane |title=A Companion to African-American Studies |date=15 April 2008 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |page=463 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ODmpx1fgJNIC&pg=PA463|isbn=978-1-4051-5466-6}}</ref>

Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal Senegambia Confederation on 1 February 1982. However, the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern separatist group (Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance or MFDC) in the Casamance region has clashed sporadically with government forces since 1982 in the Casamance conflict. In the early 21st century, violence has subsided, and President Macky Sall held talks with rebels in Rome in December 2012.<ref>[http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=135&regionSelect=2-Southern_Africa# "Uppsala Conflict Data Program: Senegal: Casamance, In-depth Developments since 2005"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222507/http://www.ucdp.uu.se/gpdatabase/gpcountry.php?id=135&regionSelect=2-Southern_Africa |date=4 March 2016 }}, ''Conflict Encyclopedia''</ref>

Abdou Diouf was president between 1981 and 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. Abdou Diouf served four terms as president.

During the Gulf War, over 500 Senegalese participated in the Battle of Khafji and the unexpected Liberation of Kuwait campaign, under the command of the U.S.-led coalition.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In the 1999 presidential election, opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade defeated Diouf, an election deemed free and fair by international observers. Senegal experienced its second peaceful transition of power, and its first from one political party to another. On 30 December 2004, President Wade announced that he would sign a peace treaty with the separatist group in the Casamance region. The Casamance conflict, however, has not yet been fully concluded as of 2025 despite several cease fires and treaties between the government and individual factions within the MFDC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senegal signs historic peace deal with Casamance separatists|url=https://www.africanews.com/2025/02/25/senegal-signs-historic-peace-deal-with-casamance-separatists/ |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=25 February 2025 |website=Africanews |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sénégal: Ousmane Sonko signe un accord de paix avec une faction du MFDC |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250224-s%C3%A9n%C3%A9gal-ousmane-sonko-signe-un-accord-de-paix-avec-une-faction-du-mfdc |date=24 February 2025 |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=rfi |language=fr }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Ousmane Badiane |title=Que sait-on de l'accord signé à Bissau entre le Sénégal et le MFDC ? |url=https://www.bbc.com/afrique/articles/c3vwr717qzko |date=24 February 2025 |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=BBC |language=fr }}</ref>

In March 2012, the incumbent president, Abdoulaye Wade, lost the presidential election, and Macky Sall was elected as the new President of Senegal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17514530 |title=Senegal proud of peaceful election after Macky Sall win |work=BBC News |date=26 March 2012 |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730083852/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-17514530 |url-status=live }}</ref> President Macky Sall was re-elected in 2019 elections. The presidential term was subsequently reduced from seven years to five years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47400711 |title=Senegal election: President Macky Sall wins second term |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2019 |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727200725/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47400711 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Putin-Sall meeting (2022-06-03) 03.jpg|thumb|Senegalese President Macky Sall with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, 3 June 2022]] Since 3 March 2021, Senegal has been rocked by a series of mass protests in response to the arrest of Ousmane Sonko for alleged rape and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2023, the response to the protests turned increasingly violent, with Amnesty International counting 23 fatalities, most of which were caused by bullets fired by police or armed police collaborators.<ref name="police violence">{{cite news |last1=Peltier |first1=Elian |title='The State Killed My Brother': Senegal in Uproar After Deadly Protests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/world/africa/senegal-protests.html |access-date=12 June 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612142936/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/world/africa/senegal-protests.html |archive-date=12 June 2023}}</ref>

In March 2024, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won Senegal's presidential election over the ruling coalition's candidate, becoming the youngest president in Senegal's history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senegal opposition candidate Faye won 54 percent in presidential vote |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/27/senegal-oppositions-faye-won-over-54-of-vote-full-provisional-results |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=3 April 2024 |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403182337/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/27/senegal-oppositions-faye-won-over-54-of-vote-full-provisional-results |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2024, Faye announced that France would withdraw its troops from Senegal and close its bases by the end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ivory Coast says French troops to leave West African nation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y7zz99jlxo |access-date=1 January 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |date=January 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Départ de l'armée française du Tchad et du Sénégal : une rupture historique et salutaire – L'édito de François Soudan - Jeune Afrique.com |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1635855/politique/depart-de-larmee-francaise-du-tchad-et-du-senegal-une-rupture-historique-et-salutaire/ |access-date=1 January 2025 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

On 1 July 2025, France handed over the Rufisque joint station to Senegal. Active since 1960, this facility was responsible for communications on the southern Atlantic coast and served as a listening post in efforts to combat maritime trafficking. The handover was conducted with minimal ceremony, involving only the signing of a report. On 17 July 2025, the two military sites were returned to the Senegalese government: the airport base and Camp Geille, a 5-hectare site located in Ouakam. Four villas located in Plateau, near the port, were also transferred to the Senegalese authorities.<ref>[https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250701-s%C3%A9n%C3%A9gal-la-france-r%C3%A9troc%C3%A8de-la-base-de-rufisque-la-troisi%C3%A8me-remise-aux-autorit%C3%A9s-du-pays Sénégal: la France rétrocède la base de Rufisque, la quatrième remise aux autorités du pays (in French)]</ref>

== Government and politics == {{main|Politics of Senegal}}

Senegal is a republic with a presidency; the president is elected every five years as of 2016, previously being seven years from independence to 2001, five years from 2001 to 2008, and seven years again from 2008 to 2016, by adult voters. The first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, was a poet and writer, and was the first African elected to the ''Académie française''. Senegal's second president, Abdou Diouf, later served as the organisation's general secretary. The third president was Abdoulaye Wade, a lawyer. The fourth president was Macky Sall, elected in March 2012 and reelected in February 2019.<ref>{{citation|website=BBC News|date=28 February 2019|access-date=10 August 2019|title=Senegal election: President Macky Sall wins second term|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47400711|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513133859/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47400711|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 March 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became the fifth democratically elected president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senegal's top court confirms Bassirou Diomaye Faye's election victory |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/29/senegals-top-court-confirms-bassirou-diomaye-fayes-election-victory |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=29 April 2024 |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427192653/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/29/senegals-top-court-confirms-bassirou-diomaye-fayes-election-victory |url-status=live }}</ref>

Senegal has more than 80 political parties. The unicameral parliament consists of the National Assembly, which has 150 seats (a Senate was in place from 1999 to 2001 and from 2007 to 2012).<ref name=cia>{{cite web |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |author-link=CIA |title=Senegal |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/ |year=2009 |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204143936/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Senegal also has an independent judiciary. The nation's highest courts that deal with business issues are the Constitutional Council and the Court of Justice, both of which have members appointed by the president.

=== Political culture === Senegal has a quasi-democratic political culture, one of the more successful post-colonial democratic transitions in Africa. Local administrators are appointed and held accountable by the president. Marabouts, religious leaders of the various Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal, have also exerted strong political influence in the country, especially during Wade's presidency. In 2009, Freedom House downgraded Senegal's status from "Free" to "Partially Free" due to increased centralisation of power in the executive. By 2014, it had recovered its Free status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/senegal-0#.VEWVY_nF-So|title=Senegal – Country report – Freedom in the World – 2014|website=Freedomhouse.org|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010204829/http://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/senegal-0#.VEWVY_nF-So|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, Senegal finished in 12th position on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance,<ref name="ibrahim_index">{{cite web|url=http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en/section/the-ibrahim-index |title=The Ibrahim Index » Mo Ibrahim Foundation |publisher=Moibrahimfoundation.org |access-date=3 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229141051/http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en/section/the-ibrahim-index |archive-date=29 December 2011 }}</ref> which reflects the success with which governments deliver essential political goods to their citizens. When the Northern African countries were added to the index in 2009, Senegal's 2008 position was retroactively downgraded to 15th place (with Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco placing ahead of Senegal). As of 2012, Senegal's Ibrahim Index ranking had declined to 16th among 52 African countries.

On 22 February 2011, Senegal severed diplomatic ties with Iran, saying it supplied rebels with weapons which killed Senegalese troops in the Casamance conflict.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/201122392022223897.html|title=Senegal severs ties with Iran: Senegal's foreign ministry accuses Tehran of supplying weapons to separatist rebels in its southern Casamance region|date=23 February 2011|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-date=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130191331/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/02/201122392022223897.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2012 presidential election was controversial due to President Wade's candidacy, as the opposition argued that he was not eligible to run again. Several youth opposition movements, including M23 and Y'en a Marre, emerged in June 2011. In the end, Macky Sall of the Alliance for the Republic won, and Wade conceded the election to Sall. This peaceful and democratic transition was hailed by many foreign observers, including the EU,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://world.myjoyonline.com/pages/africa/201203/83756.php |title=Macky Sall Senegal election win 'example for Africa' | Africa |publisher=World.myjoyonline.com |date=26 August 2012 |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509000049/http://world.myjoyonline.com/pages/africa/201203/83756.php |archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> as a show of "maturity".

On 19 September 2012, lawmakers voted to abolish the Senate to save an estimated $15 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Senegal Votes to do Away With Senate to Save Money|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/senegal-votes-do-away-senate-save-money|agency=Associated Press|access-date=20 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140257/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/senegal-votes-do-away-senate-save-money |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

In August 2017, the ruling party won a landslide victory in the parliamentary election. President Macky Sall's ruling coalition took 125 seats in the 165-seat National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-senegal-election-idUSKBN1AL09O |title=Senegal ruling party wins large parliamentary majority |work=Reuters |date=5 August 2017 |access-date=27 June 2021 }}</ref> In 2019 president Macky Sall easily won re-election in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190228-senegal-president-macky-sall-wins-election-preliminary-results |title=Senegal's President Macky Sall easily wins re-election, opposition will not contest vote |work=France24 |date=28 February 2019 |access-date=27 June 2021 |archive-date=7 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707001522/https://www.france24.com/en/20190228-senegal-president-macky-sall-wins-election-preliminary-results |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 April 2024, his successor Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Bassirou Diomaye Faye sworn in as Senegal's youngest president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/02/bassirou-diomaye-faye-to-be-sworn-in-as-senegal-youngest-president |work=The Guardian |date=2 April 2024}}</ref>

=== Leadership in World governance initiatives === Senegal has been one of the signatories to the agreement to convene a convention to draft a world constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letters from Thane Read asking Helen Keller to sign the World Constitution for world peace. 1961 |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B149-F04-022.1.8 |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034807/https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B149-F04-022.1.8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from World Constitution Coordinating Committee to Helen, enclosing current materials |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B154-F05-028.1.4 |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719170534/https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B154-F05-028.1.4 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, in 1968, for the first time, a World Constituent Assembly convened to draft and adopt the Constitution for the Federation of Earth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preparing earth constitution {{!}} Global Strategies & Solutions {{!}} The Encyclopedia of World Problems |url=http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |url-status=live |access-date=15 July 2023 |website=The Encyclopedia of World Problems {{!}} Union of International Associations (UIA) |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719215501/http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 }}</ref> Léopold Sédar Senghor, then president of Senegal signed the agreement to convene a World Constituent Assembly.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Amerasinghe |first=Terence P. |title=Emerging World Law, Volume 1 |publisher=Institute for Economic Democracy |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-933567-16-7 |page=50 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions === {{Main|Regions of Senegal|Departments of Senegal|Arrondissements of Senegal|Communes of Senegal}}

thumb|400px|Regions of Senegal

Senegal is subdivided into 14 regions,<ref>[https://www.statoids.org/en/sn/admin-levels/l1/map/senegal/regions Statoids page on Senegal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928130136/https://www.statoids.org/en/sn/admin-levels/l1/map/senegal/regions |date=28 September 2023 }} (noting that three new regions were split off on 10 September 2008).</ref> each administered by a ''Conseil Régional'' (Regional Council) elected by population weight at the ''Arrondissement'' level. The country is further subdivided into 45 ''Départements'', 113 ''Arrondissements'' (neither of which has an administrative function), and ''Collectivités Locales'', which elect administrative officers.<ref>[http://www.uael.sn/article.php3?id_article=32 List of current local elected officials] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819053719/http://www.uael.sn/article.php3?id_article=32 |date=19 August 2007 }} from Union des ''Associations d' Elus Locaux (UAEL) du Sénégal''. See also the law creating current local government structures: {{in lang|fr}} [http://www.demarches.gouv.sn/collectivites-locales/pdf/code-collec-locales-sen.pdf Code des collectivités locales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511042009/http://www.demarches.gouv.sn/collectivites-locales/pdf/code-collec-locales-sen.pdf |date=11 May 2011 }}, Loi n° 96-06 du 22 mars 1996.</ref>

Regional capitals have the same name as their respective regions: {{Div col}} * Dakar * Diourbel * Fatick * Kaffrine * Kaolack * Kédougou * Kolda * Louga * Matam * Saint-Louis * Sédhiou * Tambacounda * Thiès * Ziguinchor {{Div col end}}

=== Foreign relations === {{Further|Foreign relations of Senegal}} thumb|The African Renaissance Monument was a $27 million project by Abdoulaye Wade that triggered popular protests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=For Many in Senegal, Statue Is A Monumental Failure |author=Ofeibea Quist-Arcton |publisher=npr.org |date=5 January 2010 |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/01/05/122220923/for-many-in-senegal-statue-is-a-monumental-failure}}</ref> Senegal has a high profile in many international organizations and was a member of the UN Security Council in 1988–1989 and 2015–2016. It was elected to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1997. Friendly toward the West, especially the United States, Senegal has vigorously advocated for greater assistance from developed countries. Senegal is well integrated with the central bodies of the international community, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the Community of Sahel–Saharan States.

Historically, Senegal has been close to France, its former colonizer, but this has caused significant tension with the people and was one of the reasons former President Macky Sall lost support. Senegalese often complained that Sall consistently awarded French companies priority contracts to extract Senegal's natural resources rather than giving them to whoever offered Senegal the best deal. They also believed France was pushing Macky Sall to run for an unconstitutional third term. After debating whether to run a third time for months, Sall did not.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/world/africa/senegal-president-third-term.html |title=Senegal’s President Rules Out a Divisive Third Term |publisher=www.nytimes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125101411/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/03/world/africa/senegal-president-third-term.html |archive-date=2024-01-25 |date=25 January 2024}}</ref>

Senegal enjoys cordial relations primarily with its neighbors. Despite evident progress on other issues with Mauritania (border security, resource management, economic integration, etc.), an estimated 35,000 Mauritanian refugees (of the 40,000 who were expelled from their home country in 1989) remain in Senegal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2014/05/mauritanian-refugees-refuse-leave-senegal-20145872721336117.html |title=Mauritanian refugees refuse to leave Senegal |date=8 May 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223751/https://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2014/05/mauritanian-refugees-refuse-leave-senegal-20145872721336117.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Morocco–Senegal relations have also been courteous and Bassirou Diomaye Faye invited the king of Morocco on his inauguration ceremony in 2024.

Senegal is the 84th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 Global Peace Index.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>

=== Military === [[File:Landmine warning sign near Ziguinchor, Senegal.jpg|thumb|Land mines were widely used in the Casamance conflict between separatist rebels and the central government.]] The Armed Forces of Senegal consist of about 17,000 personnel in the army, air force, navy, and gendarmerie. The Senegalese military receives most of its training, equipment, and support from France and the United States, and to a lesser extent, Germany.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

Military non-interference in political affairs has contributed to Senegal's stability since independence. Senegal has participated in many international and regional peacekeeping missions. Most recently, in 2000, Senegal sent a battalion to the Democratic Republic of Congo to participate in MONUC, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, and agreed to deploy a US-trained battalion to Sierra Leone for UNAMSIL, another UN peacekeeping mission.

In 2015, Senegal participated in the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen against the Shia Houthis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Senegal to send 2,100 troops to join Saudi-led alliance|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-saudi-senegal-idUSKBN0NP1N920150504|date=4 May 2015|work=Reuters|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=5 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003911/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/04/us-yemen-saudi-senegal-idUSKBN0NP1N920150504|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Law === Senegal is a secular state, as defined in its Constitution.<ref name="Constitution of Senegal">{{cite web|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/sn/sn014en.pdf|title=Constitution of Senegal (Article 1)|access-date=4 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930153624/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/sn/sn014en.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2015}}</ref>

To fight corruption, the government has established the National Anti-Corruption Office (OFNAC) and the Commission for the Restitution and Recovery of Illegally Acquired Assets. According to the Business Anti-Corruption Portal, President Sall created the OFNAC to replace the Commission Nationale de Lutte Contre la non-Transparence, la Corruption et la Concussion (CNLCC). It is said that the OFNAC represents a more effective tool for fighting corruption than the CNLCC established under former President Wade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Anti-Corruption Initiatives|url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/sub-saharan-africa/senegal/show-all.aspx|publisher=Business Anti-Corruption Portal|access-date=27 March 2014|archive-date=22 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522221802/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/sub-saharan-africa/senegal/show-all.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The mission of OFNAC is to fight corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and fraud. OFNAC has the power of self-referral (own initiative investigation). OFNAC is composed of twelve members appointed by decree.

Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2021|title=In Senegal many gay people live in fear, forced to leave home|url=https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210625-in-senegal-many-gay-people-live-in-fear-forced-to-leave-home|access-date=10 October 2021|publisher=France 24|language=en|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010171309/https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210625-in-senegal-many-gay-people-live-in-fear-forced-to-leave-home|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center, 96% of Senegalese believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society.<ref name="pewglobal.org">[http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103034522/http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ |date=3 November 2013 }} ''pewglobal''. 4 June 2013. 4 June 2013.</ref> LGBTQ community members in Senegal report a strong feeling of being unsafe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20180927065941-onebm/|title='Fighting for survival', Senegal's gay community is on its own|website=news.trust.org|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502183231/http://news.trust.org/item/20180927065941-onebm/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Geography == {{Main|Geography of Senegal}}

thumb|Senegal map of Köppen climate classification [[File:Casamance landscape.jpg|thumb|Landscape of Casamance]] Senegal is located on the western coast of Africa. It lies between latitudes 12° and 17°N, and longitudes 11° and 18°W.

Senegal is externally bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south; internally it almost completely surrounds The Gambia, namely on the north, east and south, except for Gambia's short Atlantic coastline.

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, Baunez ridge situated 2.7 km southeast of Nepen Diakha at {{convert|648|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=11080|title=Senegal High Point|publisher=SRTM|access-date=22 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004526/http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=11080|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.

The Cape Verde islands lie some {{convert|560|km}} off the Senegalese coast, but Cap-Vert ("Cape Green") is a maritime placemark, set at the foot of "Les Mammelles", a {{convert|105|m|ft|0|adj=on}} cliff resting at one end of the Cap-Vert peninsula onto which is settled Senegal's capital Dakar, and {{convert|1|km|mi|1}} south of the "Pointe des Almadies", the westernmost point in Africa.

Senegal contains four terrestrial ecoregions: Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, Sahelian Acacia savanna, West Sudanian savanna, and Guinean mangroves.<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Climate === {{Main|Geography of Senegal#Climate}}

[[File:Ngor Beach.jpg|thumb|Beach at N'Gor ]] Senegal has a tropical climate with pleasant year-round heat and well-defined dry and humid seasons driven by northeast winter and southwest summer winds. The dry season (December to April) is characterized by hot, dry harmattan winds.<ref name=cia/> Dakar's annual rainfall of about {{convert|600|mm|in|abbr=on}} occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average {{convert|30|°C|°F|1}} and minimums {{convert|24.2|°C|°F|1}}; December to February maximum temperatures average {{convert|25.7|°C|°F|1}} and minimums {{convert|18|°C|°F|1}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.senegal.climatemps.com/ |title=Dakar, Senegal Climate Information – ClimateTemp.info, Making Sense of Average Monthly Weather & Temperature Data with Detailed Climate Graphs That Portray Average Rainfall & Sunshine Hours |publisher=ClimaTemps.com |date=22 July 2011 |access-date=29 March 2012 |archive-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712103459/http://www.senegal.climatemps.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast (for example, average daily temperatures in Kaolack and Tambacounda for May are {{convert|30|°C|°F|1}} and {{convert|32.7|°C|°F|1}} respectively, compared to Dakar's {{convert|23.2|°C|°F|1}} ),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldclimate.com/|title=Weather rainfall and temperature data|publisher=World Climate|access-date=5 August 2010|archive-date=8 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208173133/http://www.worldclimate.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding {{convert|1500|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} annually in some areas.

In Tambacounda, located in the far interior near the Mali border where the desert begins, temperatures can reach {{convert|54|°C|°F|1}}. The northernmost part of the country is the Lompoul desert, which has a near-hot desert climate, the central part has a hot semi-arid climate. The southernmost part has a tropical wet and dry climate. Senegal is mainly a sunny and dry country.

{{excerpt|Climate change in Senegal|paragraphs=1-2|hat=no}}

=== Wildlife === {{Main|Wildlife of Senegal}}

== Economy == {{Main|Economy of Senegal}}

{{Excerpt|Economy of Senegal|hat=no|files=no}} thumb|left thumb|Historical development of real GDP per capita in Senegal and Gambia, since 1950

=== Industry and trade ===

Three trans-African automobile routes pass through Senegal: * Cairo-Dakar Highway (1) * Dakar-Ndjamena Highway (5) * Dakar-Lagos Highway (7)

The main industries include food processing, mining, cement, artificial fertilizer, chemicals, textiles, refining imported petroleum, and tourism. Exports include fish, chemicals, cotton, fabrics, groundnuts, and calcium phosphate. The largest export markets as of 2020 are Mali (20.4%), Switzerland (12.2%), and India (8.3%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cepii.fr/CEPII/en/bdd_modele/bdd_modele_item.asp?id=37|title=CEPII – Baci|website=cepii.fr|publisher=Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales|series=HS92|access-date=31 August 2022|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831162656/http://www.cepii.fr/CEPII/en/bdd_modele/bdd_modele_item.asp?id=37|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff. Senegal is also a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa.<ref name="ohada.com">{{cite web |title = OHADA.com: The business law portal in Africa |url = http://www.ohada.com/index.php |access-date = 22 March 2009 |archive-date = 26 March 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090326033744/http://www.ohada.com/index.php |url-status = live }}</ref>

Senegal achieved full Internet connectivity in 1996, creating a mini-boom in information technology-based services. Private activity now accounts for 82 percent of its GDP. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic high unemployment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hellochina/helloSenegal2009/2009-09/01/content_8643211.htm|title=Economy of Senegal|website=China Daily|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914120740/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hellochina/helloSenegal2009/2009-09/01/content_8643211.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Senegal is a major recipient of international development assistance. Donors include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Japan, France, and China. Over 4,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Senegal since 1963.<ref name="peacecorps.gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.peacecorps.gov/senegal/ |title=Peace Corps Senegal |publisher=peacecorps.gov |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708120917/https://www.peacecorps.gov/senegal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Agriculture === {{Excerpt|Agriculture in Senegal}}

=== Fishing === thumb|Fishing boats in Dakar Senegal has a {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|adj=on}} exclusive fishing zone. Fishing is a sizable sector of the Senegalese economy, as 3.2 percent of Senegal's GDP and around 600,000 jobs come from the fishing industry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=European Fishing Boats Hurt West Africa's Future|url=https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/european-fishing-boats-hurt-west-africas-future|website=Pulitzer Center|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref> Overfishing and illegal fishing from international vessels are serious issues in Senegal, and have severely impacted the number of fish on Senegalese shores. 57% of fish stocks in Senegal are in a "state of collapse",<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senegal's fishing crisis: Overfishing, migration, survival|url=https://www.africanews.com/2025/05/14/senegals-fishing-crisis-overfishing-migration-survival/|website=Africanews|date=2025-05-14|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en|last=AfricaNews}}</ref> and some boats—especially trawlers—owned by other countries fly the Senegalese flag in order to evade the rules and fish in the country's waters, harming artisanal fishermen in the process.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Yellow card Senegal: the fight against IUU fishing must also be waged in the coastal zone|url=https://www.cffacape.org/publications-blog/yellow-card-senegal-the-fight-against-iuu-fishing-must-also-be-waged-in-the-coastal-zone|website=Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements|date=2024-06-03|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en-US|first=Beatrice|last=Gorez}}</ref>

In May 2024, Senegal publicly released the list of all boats with valid licenses allowed to fish in their waters as an effort to reduce IUU fishing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senegal: Publication of lists of vessels authorized to fish - CAOPA - African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fishing Organizations |url=https://caopa.org/en/index.php/2024/05/11/Senegal-publication-of-lists-of-boats-authorized-to-fish/ |date=2024-05-11 |access-date=2025-12-02 |language=en |work=CAOPA-confédération africaine des organisations professionnelles de la pêche artisanale - }}</ref>

=== Energy === {{Excerpt|Energy in Senegal}}

== Demographics == {{Main|Demographics of Senegal}}

thumb|400px|Senegal's population from 1960 to 2017 (in millions)

Senegal has a population of about 18 million, of whom about 42 percent live in rural areas. Density in these areas varies from about {{convert|77|PD/km2}} in the west-central region to {{convert|2|/km2}} in the arid eastern section.

=== Gender === {{Main|Women in Senegal}}

{{See also|Feminism in Senegal}} [[File:Kolda-bradybd.jpg|thumb|Women at the street market in Kolda]] Senegal ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the additional protocol. Senegal is also a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, adopted at the 2003 African Union Summit. However, feminists have been critical of the government's lack of action in enforcing the protocols, conventions, and other texts that have been signed as a means of protecting women's rights, and have stated that everyday practices and customs typically maintain a patriarchal character.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ba |first1=Selly |last2=Evrard |first2=Camille |last3=Pettigrew |first3=Erin |date=2022 |title=« La loi ne suffit pas ». Comment aborder les inégalités hommes-femmes au Sénégal ? Entretien avec Selly Ba |url=https://shs.cairn.info/revue-l-ouest-saharien-2022-1-page-165 |journal= L'Ouest Saharien |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=165–178 |doi=10.3917/ousa.221.0163 |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hutton |first=Margot |date=25 March 2024 |title=Droits des femmes au Sénégal : quel bilan pour Macky Sall ? |url=https://information.tv5monde.com/terriennes/droits-des-femmes-au-senegal-quel-bilan-pour-macky-sall-2715023 |website=TV5Monde |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref> Similarly, Afrobarometer found that Senegalese women often remain in a disadvantaged position.<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=19 April 2023 |title=Communiqué de presse : Au Sénégal, les femmes demeurent désavantagées par rapport aux hommes sur plusieurs aspects, selon l'enquête Afrobarometer |url=https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Comme-de-presse-Au-Senegal-les-femmes-demeurent-desavantagees-Afrobarometer-18avril23.pdf |website=Afrobarometer |access-date=5 October 2025}}</ref>

=== Ethnic groups === {{Main|Ethnic groups in Senegal}}

Senegal has a wide variety of ethnic groups and, as in most West African countries, several languages are widely spoken. According to "CIA World Factbook: Senegal" (2019 estimates), the ethnic groups are Wolof (39%); Fula (probably including the Halpulaar speaking Toucouleur) (27.5%); Serer group (probably including the Serer Cangin peoples) (16%); Mandinka (4.9%); Jola (4.2%); Soninke (2.4%); other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent), and other minor ethnic groups like the Bassari, Maures or (Naarkajors).<ref>CIA World Factbook: Senegal. [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/summaries/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930033916/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/senegal/summaries|date=30 September 2023}} (retrieved 15 April 2024):

* "Wolof 39.7%, Pulaar 27.5%, Sereer 16%, Mandinka 4.9%, Jola 4.2%, Soninke 2.4%, other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2019 est.)."</ref> {{Pie chart |thumb = left |caption=Ethnic groups in Senegal |label1 = Wolof |value1 = 39 |color1 = Orange |label2 = Fulani |value2 = 27.5 |color2 = Blue |label3 = Serer |value3 = 16 |color3 = Red |label4 = Mandinka |value4 = 4.9 |color4 = Brown |label5 = Jola |value5= 4.2 |color5 = Purple |label6 = Sonike |value6 = 2.4 |color6 = Green |label7 = Other |value7 = 6 |color = Light Blue }}

There are also tens of thousands of Mauritanian refugees in Senegal, primarily in the country's north.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/492d41584.html|periodical=UNHCR News|title=Boost for the reintegration of Mauritanian returnees|date=26 November 2008|access-date=12 January 2010|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630152303/http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/492d41584.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the ''World Refugee Survey 2008'', published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Senegal has a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 23,800 in 2007. The majority of this population (20,200) is from Mauritania. Refugees live in N'dioum, Dodel, and small settlements along the Senegal River valley.<ref name="World Refugee Survey 2008">{{cite news|title=World Refugee Survey 2008 |publisher=U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants |date=19 June 2008 |url=http://www.refugees.org/survey |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528032724/http://www.refugees.org/survey/ |archive-date=28 May 2010 }}</ref>

=== Languages === {{Main|Languages of Senegal}}

French is the official language, spoken by all those who have spent several years in the educational system, where French is used as the medium of instruction (Koranic schools are also popular, but Arabic is less widely spoken outside the context of recitation). Overall, French speakers were estimated to make up 26% of the population in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.francophonie.org/|title=Portail de l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)|website=Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie|access-date=18 February 2023|archive-date=1 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601233227/http://www.francophonie.org/-Etats-et-gouvernements-.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 15th century, many European territories started to engage in trade in Senegal. In the 19th century, France increased its colonial influence in Senegal, and the number of French-speaking people grew steadily. French was ratified as the official language of Senegal in 1960 when the country achieved independence.

Most people also speak their own ethnic language, while, especially in Dakar, Wolof is the lingua franca.<ref>{{citation|title=Wolof|author=National African Language Research Center|publisher=University of Wisconsin |location=Madison}}</ref> Pulaar is spoken by the Fulas and Toucouleur. The Serer language is widely spoken by both Serers and non-Serers (including President Sall, whose wife is Serer); so are the Cangin languages, whose speakers are ethnically Serers. Jola languages are widely spoken in the Casamance. Overall, Senegal is home to around 39 distinct languages. Several have the legal status of "national languages": Balanta-Ganja, Arabic, Jola-Fonyi, Mandinka, Mandjak, Mankanya, Noon (Serer-Noon), Pulaar, Serer, Soninke, and Wolof. thumb|Ethnolinguistic map of Senegal English is taught as a foreign language in secondary schools and many graduate school programs. It is the only subject matter that has a special office in the Ministry of Education.<ref name=warwick>{{citation|website=The Warwick ELT|title=The Status of English and Other Languages in Senegal|author=Oumar Moussa Djigo|date=31 December 2016|url=https://thewarwickeltezine.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/77/|access-date=10 August 2019|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810155205/https://thewarwickeltezine.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/77/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dakar is home to a few bilingual schools which offer half of their curriculum in English. The Senegalese American Bilingual School (SABS), Yavuz Selim, and The West African College of the Atlantic (WACA) train thousands of fluent English speakers in four-year programs. English is widely used by the scientific community and in business, including by the ''Modou-Modou'' (illiterate, self-taught businessmen).<ref name=warwick />

Portuguese Creole, locally known as Portuguese, is a prominent minority language in Ziguinchor, the regional capital of the Casamance, spoken by local Portuguese creoles and immigrants from Guinea-Bissau. The local Cape Verdean community speaks a similar Portuguese creole, Cape Verdean Creole, as well as standard Portuguese. Portuguese was introduced in Senegal's secondary education in 1961 in Dakar by the country's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor. It is currently available in most of Senegal and in higher education. It is especially prevalent in Casamance, particularly in relation to local cultural identity.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.instituto-camoes.pt/encarte/encarte98a.htm | title=A Língua Portuguesa no Senegal | date=12–25 April 2006 | access-date=10 December 2014 | author=José Horta | publisher=Instituto Camões | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000233/http://www.instituto-camoes.pt/encarte/encarte98a.htm | archive-date=4 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> thumb|Aerial view of Yoff Commune, Dakar

A variety of immigrant languages are spoken, such as Bambara (70,000), Mooré (37,000), Kabuverdiano (34,000), Krio (6,100), Vietnamese (2,500), and Portuguese (1,700), mostly in Dakar.<ref name=warwick />

While French is the sole official language, a rising Senegalese linguistic nationalist movement supports the integration of Wolof, the country's common vernacular, into the national constitution.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.slateafrique.com/21377/linguistique-senegal-est-il-encore-un-pays-francophone | title=Le Sénégal est-il encore un pays francophone? | date=19 August 2012 | access-date=19 August 2012 | author=Pierre Cherruau | archive-date=14 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114083002/http://www.slateafrique.com/21377/linguistique-senegal-est-il-encore-un-pays-francophone | url-status=live }}</ref>

Senegalese regions of Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, and Ziguinchor are members of the International Association of Francophone regions.

=== Largest cities === {{See also|List of cities in Senegal}} Dakar, the capital, is by far the largest city in Senegal, with over two million residents.<ref name="ANSD-population">{{cite web | url = http://www.ansd.org/SES2005.pdf | title = Situation économique et sociale du Sénégal | author=Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie | publisher=Government of Senegal | language = fr | year = 2005 | access-date =18 November 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080625002308/http://www.ansd.org/SES2005.pdf  |archive-date = 25 June 2008}}</ref> The second most populous city is Touba, a ''de jure communaute rurale'' (rural community), with over half a million people.<ref name="ANSD-population"/> {{Largest cities | country = Senegal | stat_ref = According to the 2013 Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senegal |work=City Population |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/senegal/cities/ |access-date=9 December 2021 |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426085236/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/senegal/cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | div_name = Region

| city_1 = Dakar | div_1 = Dakar Region{{!}}Dakar | pop_1 = 2,646,503

| city_2 = Touba | div_2 = Diourbel Region{{!}}Diourbel | pop_2 = 753,315

| city_3 = Pikine | div_3 = Dakar Region{{!}}Dakar | pop_3 = 317,763

| city_4 = Kaolack | div_4 = Kaolack Region{{!}}Kaolack | pop_4 = 233,708

| city_5 = M'Bour{{!}}M'bour | div_5 = Thiès Region{{!}}Thiès | pop_5 = 232,777

| city_6 = Rufisque | div_6 = Dakar Region{{!}}Dakar | pop_6 = 221,066

| city_7 = Ziguinchor | div_7 = Ziguinchor Region{{!}}Ziguinchor | pop_7 = 205,294

| city_8 = Diourbel | div_8 = Diourbel Region{{!}}Diourbel | pop_8 = 133,705

| city_9 = Tambacounda | div_9 = Tambacounda Region{{!}}Tambacounda | pop_9 = 107,293

| city_10 = Louga | div_10 = Louga Region{{!}}Louga | pop_10 = 104,349

}}

=== Religion === {{main|Religion in Senegal}} {{Pie chart |thumb = right |caption = Religion in Senegal (Pew Research Center 2024)<ref name="Pew Research"/> |label1 = Islam |value1 = 89 |color1 = Green |label2 = Christianity |value2 = 10 |color2 = DarkOrchid |label3 = Traditional faiths |value3 = 1 |color3 = Brown }}

Senegal is a secular state.<ref name="Constitution of Senegal" /> According to "CIA World Factbook: Senegal" Islam is the predominant religion in the country, practiced by 97.2% of the country's population; the Christian community, at 2.7% of the population, consists mostly of Roman Catholics but there are also diverse Evangelical denominations. Less than 1% hold animist beliefs, particularly in the southeastern region of the country.<ref name=cia/> Some Serer people follow the Serer religion.<ref>Conklin, Alice L. ''A Mission to Civilize: The Republican Idea of Empire in France and West Africa, 1895–1930''. Stanford University Press, 1997. {{ISBN|0-8047-2999-9}}. p. 27.</ref><ref>Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. ''Ethnologue: Languages of the World'', Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International</ref> According to the Berkley Center, "approximately 95 percent of the population is Muslim and the other five percent is primarily Christian or animist."<ref>Berkley Center, "Country Mapping: Senegal." [https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/subprojects/country-mapping-senegal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231163333/https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/subprojects/country-mapping-senegal|date=31 December 2023}} (retrieved 15 April 2024)</ref> Marloes Janson, of SOAS, University of London, and other scholars, posit that, in Senegal, Gambia, and many African countries where Islam is dominant, Muslim communities tend to syncretise Islam with Traditional African religions, leading to a distinctive "African Islam".<ref>Johnson, Marloes, "Chapter 36: Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa." SOAS, University of London (2017), pp. 15-17 (PDF)</ref>

According to a 2012 Pew demographic study, 55% of the Muslims in Senegal are Sunni of the Maliki madhhab with Sufi influences, whilst 27% are non-denominational Muslims.<ref name="Pew">{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity|title=Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation|date=9 August 2012|work=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity|publisher=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=4 September 2013|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226113158/http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity|url-status=live}}</ref> Islamic communities in Senegal are generally organized around one of several Islamic Sufi orders called tariqas, headed by a ''khalif'' (''xaliifa'' in Wolof, from Arabic ''khalīfa''), who is usually a direct descendant of the group's founder; the study found that 92% of Senegalese Muslims belonged to a Sufi order. The two most significant and prominent Sufi tariqas in Senegal are the Tijaniyya, whose largest Senegalese sub-groups are based in the cities of Tivaouane and Kaolack, and have a broad following in West Africa outside of Senegal, and the Murīdiyya (Murid), who are based in the city of Touba and has a follower base mostly limited to within Senegal.<ref name="Pew"/>

The Halpulaar (Pulaar-speakers), composed of Fula people, a widespread group found along the Sahel from Chad to Senegal, and ''Toucouleurs'', represent 23.8 percent of the population.<ref name=cia/> Historically, they were the first to become Muslim. Many of the ''Toucouleurs'', or sedentary Halpulaar of the Senegal River Valley in the north, converted to Islam around a millennium ago and later contributed to Islam's propagation throughout Senegal. Most communities south of the Senegal River Valley, however, were not thoroughly Islamized. The Serer people stood out as one of this group, who spent over one thousand years resisting Islamization (see Serer history). Although many Serers are Christians or Muslim, their conversion to Islam in particular is very recent and came of free will rather than by force, after forced conversion had been unsuccessfully tried centuries earlier (see Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune).<ref>{{cite book|author1=Hans Bressers|author2=Walter A. Rosenbaum|title=Achieving Sustainable Development: The Challenge of Governance Across Social Scales|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SvAGAeQNo7oC&pg=PA151|year=2003|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-97802-0|pages=151–}}</ref> [[File:Khitma bayefall only work.jpg|thumb|The Mouride brotherhood in Senegal]] As a country with more than 90% Muslims, holidays such as Tabaski, Koriteh, Gamou, and Weri Kor are highly regarded.

The spread of formal Quranic schools (called ''daara'' in Wolof) during the colonial period was driven mainly by the Tidjâniyya. In Murid communities, which place greater emphasis on the work ethic than on literary Quranic studies, the term ''daara'' often refers to work groups devoted to serving a religious leader. Today, most Senegalese children study at ''daara''s for several years, memorizing as much of the Qur'an as they can. Some of them continue their religious studies at councils (''majlis'') or at the growing number of private Arabic schools and publicly funded Franco-Arabic schools.

Small Catholic communities are mainly found in coastal Serer, Jola, Mankanya, and Balant populations, and in eastern Senegal among the Bassari and Coniagui. Immigrants mainly attend Protestant churches, but during the second half of the 20th century, these churches, led by Senegalese leaders from different ethnic groups, have evolved. In Dakar, Catholic and Protestant rites are practiced by the Lebanese, Cape Verdean, European, and American immigrant populations, by certain Africans from other countries, and by the Senegalese themselves. [[File:Imam ndiawar.JPG|thumb|An imam in Senegal leading a prayer]] Serer religion encompasses a belief in a supreme deity called Roog (Koox among the Cangin), Serer cosmogony, cosmology and divination ceremonies such as the annual ''Xooy'' (or ''Khoy'') ceremony presided over by the Serer Saltigues (high priests and priestesses). They were ancient Serer festivals rooted in Serer religion, not Islam.<ref name="N.Diouf">Diouf, Niokhobaye, « Chronique du royaume du Sine, suivie de Notes sur les traditions orales et les sources écrites concernant le royaume du Sine par Charles Becker et Victor Martin (1972)», . (1972). Bulletin de l'IFAN, tome 34, série B, no 4, 1972, pp. 706–7 (pp. 4–5), pp. 713–14 (pp. 9–10)</ref>

The Boukout is one of the Jola's religious ceremonies.

A small number of members of the Bani Israel tribe in the Senegalese bush claim Jewish ancestry. However, this is disputed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/2013/05/23/lifestyle/in-senegalese-bush-bani-israel-tribe-claims-jewish-heritage|title=In Senegalese bush, Bani Israel tribe claims Jewish heritage|date=23 May 2013|publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|language=en-US|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715174843/https://www.jta.org/2013/05/23/lifestyle/in-senegalese-bush-bani-israel-tribe-claims-jewish-heritage|url-status=live}}</ref> The Mahayana branch of Buddhism in Senegal is followed by a very tiny portion of the expat Vietnamese community. The Bahá'í Faith in Senegal was established after 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, mentioned Africa as a place that Bahá'ís should more broadly visit.<ref name="ToDP8">{{cite book |author = 'Abdu'l-Bahá |author-link = Abdu'l-Bahá |year = 1991 |title = Tablets of the Divine Plan |edition = Paperback |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, IL |isbn = 0-87743-233-3 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/TDP/tdp-8.html.iso8859-1 |pages = 47–59 |orig-year = 1916–17 |access-date = 1 August 2009 |archive-date = 11 May 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511200654/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/TDP/tdp-8.html.iso8859-1 |url-status = live }}</ref> The first Bahá'is to set foot in the territory of French West Africa that would become Senegal arrived in 1953.<ref name="hassal-egypt">{{cite web|last = Hassall|first = Graham|title = Egypt: Baha'i history|work = Asia Pacific Bahá'í Studies: Bahá'í Communities by country|publisher = Bahá'í Online Library|date = c. 2000|url = http://bahai-library.com/asia-pacific/country%20files/egypt.htm|access-date = 24 May 2009|archive-date = 27 December 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111227051203/http://bahai-library.com/asia-pacific/country%20files/egypt.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> The first Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly of Senegal was elected in 1966 in Dakar.<ref name="50th">{{Cite news|last = Bahá'í International Community|author-link = Bahá'í International Community|title = National communities celebrate together|newspaper = Bahá'í International News Service|date = 28 December 2003|url = http://hfa01.news.bahai.org/story/283|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130112122749/http://hfa01.news.bahai.org/story/283|archive-date = 12 January 2013|df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 1975 the Bahá'í community elected the first National Spiritual Assembly of Senegal. The most recent estimate, by the Association of Religion Data Archives in a 2005 report, details the population of Senegalese Bahá'ís at 22,000.<ref name="WCE-05">{{cite web|title=Most Baha'i Nations (2005)|work=QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions >|publisher=The Association of Religion Data Archives|year=2005|url=http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp|access-date=4 July 2009|archive-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Health === {{Main|Health in Senegal}}

thumb|Development of life expectancy Life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 66.8 years in 2016 (64.7 years male, 68.7 years female).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aho.afro.who.int/profiles_information/images/e/e3/Senegal-Statistical_Factsheet.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903204256/http://www.aho.afro.who.int/profiles_information/images/e/e3/Senegal-Statistical_Factsheet.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2014|title=Senegal Statistical Factsheet|website=Factsheet of Health Statistics 2018}}</ref> Public expenditure on health was at 2.4 percent of the GDP in 2004, whereas private expenditure was at 3.5 percent.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">{{cite web |url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_SEN.html |title=Human Development Report 2009 – Senegal |publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org |access-date=20 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715090901/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_SEN.html |archive-date=15 July 2010}}</ref> Health expenditure was at US$72 (PPP) per capita in 2004.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> The fertility rate ranged 5 to 5.3 between 2005 and 2013, with 4.1 in urban areas and 6.3 in rural areas, as official survey (6.4 in 1986 and 5.7 in 1997) point out.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansd.sn/publications/rapports_enquetes_etudes/enquetes/EDS-continue_2012-2013.pdf |title=Enquête Démographique et de Santé Continue (EDS-Continue) 2012–2013 |date=July 2013 |language=fr |publisher=Republic of Senegal |access-date=27 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113162733/http://www.ansd.sn/publications/rapports_enquetes_etudes/enquetes/EDS-continue_2012-2013.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> There were six physicians per 100,000 persons in the early 2000s (decade).<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> Infant mortality in Senegal was 157 per 1,000 live births in 1950., but since then it has declined five-fold to 32 per 1,000 in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://childmortality.org/data/Senegal |title=Infant mortality rate in Senegal |publisher=UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation |access-date=27 June 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In the past five years infant mortality rates of malaria have dropped. According to a 2013 UNICEF report,<ref name=UNICEF2013p27>[http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf UNICEF 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405083031/http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf |date=5 April 2015 }}, p. 27.</ref> 26% of women in Senegal have undergone female genital mutilation.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began in Senegal, prompting the imposition of a curfew.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Africa: SA in lockdown, curfews in the west as continent braces for Covid-19 wave|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20200324-lockdown-curfew-restrictions-africa-coronavirus-covid-19|publisher=Radio France Internationale|date=24 March 2020|access-date=23 November 2021|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123195213/https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20200324-lockdown-curfew-restrictions-africa-coronavirus-covid-19|url-status=live}}</ref> Malaria is endemic throughout Senegal, and the entire population is at risk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmi.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/country-profiles/senegal_profile.pdf?sfvrsn=24|title=Senegal|date=2018|publisher=President's Malaria Initiative|access-date=24 April 2020|archive-date=18 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318073124/http://www.pmi.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/country-profiles/senegal_profile.pdf?sfvrsn=24|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

In June 2021, Senegal's Agency for Universal Health launched sunucmu.com (SunuCMU), a website that the agency hopes will streamline health care in the country. The website is a part of the Minister of State Mohammad Abdallah Dionne's plan for digitalization. He aims to make Senegal's health care system effective and sustainable. Using SunuCMU, Senegal hopes to achieve 75 percent coverage within two years of the launch.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 June 2019|title=A New Platform to Improve Health Care in Senegal|url=https://www.borgenmagazine.com/health-care-in-senegal/|access-date=6 July 2021|website=BORGEN|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Education === {{main|Education in Senegal}}

thumb|Students in Senegal Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution, adopted in January 2001, guarantee access to education for all children.<ref name=ilab>"Senegal". [https://web.archive.org/web/20061201190837/http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2005/tda2005.pdf ''2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor'']. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor (2006). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain''. </ref> Education is compulsory and free up to the age of 16.<ref name=ilab/> The Ministry of Labor has indicated that the public school system is unable to cope with the number of children that must enroll each year.<ref name=ilab/> Portuguese is taught at schools at the secondary high school level, given the large Cape Verdean community, and also from Guinea-Bissau. There are sizeable Portuguese Creole and standard Portuguese-speaking communities in Ziguinchor and Dakar.

Illiteracy is high, particularly among women.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org"/> The net primary enrollment rate was 69 percent in 2005. In the fiscal year 2025, 3.5 percent of the budget was allocated for the Ministry of Education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diouf |first=Abdou |title=LE BUDGET 2025 : UN TOURNANT DECISIF DANS LA GESTION DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES AU SENEGAL |url=https://www.presidence.sn/fr/assets/documents/Communication-LFI-2025-MFB-DGB-CAMP-2025.pdf |website=Présidence du Sénégal}}</ref> Public expenditure on education was 5.4 percent of the 2002–2005 GDP. Senegal was ranked 89th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/senegal |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref>

== Culture == thumb|Dakar thumb|Ngor Island thumb|Landscape near Kaolack Senegal is well known for the West African tradition of storytelling, performed by ''griots'', who have kept West African history alive for thousands of years through words and music. The ''griot'' profession is passed down generation to generation and requires years of training and apprenticeship in genealogy, history, and music. ''Griots'' give voice to generations of West African society.<ref name="ross">Eric S. Ross, Culture and Customs of Senegal, Greenwood Press, Westport, CT, 2008 {{ISBN|0-313-34036-6}}</ref>

The ''African Renaissance Monument'', built in 2010 in Dakar, is the tallest statue in Africa. Dakar also hosts a film festival, Recidak.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fr.africatime.com/senegal/articles/apres-dix-annees-dinterruption-les-recidak-nouvelles-arrivent-en-2014|title=Après dix années d'interruption : Les RECIDAK nouvelles arrivent en 2014|author=Baba Diop|language=fr|publisher=Africatime|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130190636/http://fr.africatime.com/senegal/articles/apres-dix-annees-dinterruption-les-recidak-nouvelles-arrivent-en-2014|archive-date=30 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, is popularly celebrated by Senegalese people. Despite being predominantly Muslim, the Christian celebration of Christmas is also widely observed, with Christmas trees and decorations lining the streets of Dakar.<ref name=":0b" />

=== Cuisine === {{Further|Senegalese cuisine}} Because Senegal borders the Atlantic Ocean, fish is very important. Chicken, lamb, peas, eggs, and beef are also used in Senegalese cooking, but not pork, due to the nation's essentially Muslim population. Peanuts, the primary crop of Senegal, as well as couscous, white rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas, and various vegetables, are also incorporated into many recipes. Meats and vegetables are typically stewed or marinated in herbs and spices, then served over rice or couscous or with bread.

Popular fresh juices are made from bissap, ginger, ''buoy '' (pronounced 'buoy', which is the fruit of the baobab tree, also known as "monkey bread fruit"), mango, or other fruit or wild trees (most famously soursop, which is called ''corossol'' in French). Desserts are vibrant and sweet, combining native ingredients with the extravagance and style characteristic of French influence on Senegal's culinary traditions.{{cn|date=June 2025}} They are often served with fresh fruit and are traditionally followed by coffee or tea.

=== Music === {{Further|Music of Senegal}} [[File:Solo cissokho DSC 0448.JPG|thumb|upright|Kora player from Senegal]] Senegal is known across Africa for its musical roots, due to the popularity of mbalax, which originated from the Serer percussive tradition, especially the Njuup, it has been popularized by Youssou N'Dour, Omar Pene, and others. Sabar drumming is especially popular. The sabar is mostly used in special celebrations such as weddings. Another instrument, the tama, is used in more ethnic groups. Other popular international renowned Senegalese musicians are Ismael Lô, Cheikh Lô, Orchestra Baobab, Baaba Maal, Akon (US-born), Thione Seck, Viviane, Fallou Dieng, Titi, Seckou Keita and Pape Diouf.

=== Cinema === {{main|Cinema of Senegal}}

=== Media === {{main|Media of Senegal}}

=== Hospitality === Hospitality, in theory, is highly valued in Senegalese culture and is widely considered part of national identity. The Wolof<ref name="Serer Jom">The word ''taranga'' (hospitality), ''jom'' (honour), etc., are all Serer from the Serer language, rooted in Serer values and serer religion, not Wolof. See: {{in lang|fr}} Gravrand, Henry, "L'HERITAGE SPIRITUEL SEREER: VALEUR TRADITIONNELLE D'HIER, D'AUJOURD'HUI ET DE DEMAIN" [in] Ethiopiques, numéro 31, révue socialiste de culture négro-africaine, 3e trimestre 1982 [http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?article895] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901205550/http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?article895|date=1 September 2011}}</ref> word for hospitality is "teranga" and it is so identified with the pride of Senegal that the national football team is known as ''Les Lions de la Téranga''.<ref name="ross"/>{{Original research inline|date=October 2011}}

=== Sport === thumb|Senegalese Wrestling|left Senegalese play many sports. Wrestling and football are the most popular sports in the country. Senegal will host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, making Senegal the first African country to host an Olympic event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/senegal-to-be-1st-african-olympic-host-at-2022-youth-games/2018/09/07/4a0d6548-b2c2-11e8-8b53-50116768e499_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/senegal-to-be-1st-african-olympic-host-at-2022-youth-games/2018/09/07/4a0d6548-b2c2-11e8-8b53-50116768e499_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2018|title=Senegal to be 1st African Olympic host at 2022 Youth Games|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/senegal-african-nation-host-olympic-event-180907175449927.html|title=Senegal first African nation to host an Olympic event|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219142859/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/senegal-african-nation-host-olympic-event-180907175449927.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Senegalese wrestling is the country's most popular sport<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohio.edu/sportsafrica/communicationmedia/ousmane.htm|title=Sports in Africa: Communication and Media|access-date=3 April 2015|publisher=Ohio University|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430181247/https://www.ohio.edu/sportsafrica/communicationmedia/ousmane.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and has become a national obsession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theworld.org/stories/2013/08/14/wrestling-solution-poverty-senegal|title=Wrestling As a Solution to Poverty in Senegal|last1=Skelton|first1=Rose|last2=Werman|first2=Marco|date=9 June 2011|publisher=PRI|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430181231/https://www.pri.org/stories/2011-06-09/wrestling-solution-poverty-senegal|url-status=live}}</ref> It traditionally serves many young men to escape poverty. It is the only sport recognized as developed independently of Western culture.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

[[File:Senegal fans Russia 2018.jpg|thumb|Senegalese football fans at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia]] Football is a popular sport in Senegal. In 2022, the national team beat Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. They were runners-up in 2002 and 2019. They won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations beating Morocco 1-0 in extra time. They became one of only four African teams to ever reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, after Cameroon in 1990 and before Ghana in 2010, defeating holders France in their first game in 2002. Senegal qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Senegal has traditionally been one of Africa's dominant basketball powers. The men's team performed better than any other African nation at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, reaching the playoffs for the first time. The women's team won 19 medals at 20 African Championships, more than twice as many medals as any competitor. When the country hosted the 2019 FIBA Women's AfroBasket, 15,000 fans flocked to the Dakar Arena which is registered as a record attendance for basketball in Africa.<ref>{{cite news |title=Getting to know Africa's flashy basketball arenas |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/getting-to-know-africas-flashy-basketball-arenas |access-date=10 December 2020 |publisher=FIBA |date=2 September 2019 |archive-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107193242/https://www.fiba.basketball/news/getting-to-know-africas-flashy-basketball-arenas |url-status=live }}</ref> Senegal was one of the continent's pioneers in basketball as it established one of Africa's first competitive leagues.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Nxumalo |title=Basketball's next frontier is Africa |url=https://www.newframe.com/basketballs-next-frontier-is-africa/ |access-date=11 January 2021 |work=New Frame |date=20 December 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116062357/https://www.newframe.com/basketballs-next-frontier-is-africa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2016, the NBA announced the launch of an Elite Academy in Africa, specifically in Senegal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2016/12/21/nba-academy-africa|title=NBA to open academy in Africa in 2017|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009110034/https://www.nba.com/article/2016/12/21/nba-academy-africa|url-status=live}}</ref>

The country hosted the Paris–Dakar rally from 1979 until 2007. The Dakar Rally was an off-road endurance motorsport race that ran from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. The competitors used off-road vehicles to cross the difficult geography. The last race was held in 2007, before the 2008 rally was canceled a day before the event due to security concerns in Mauritania.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/05/france.sport|title=Dakar rally cancelled at last minute over terrorist threat|last=Hamilos|first=Paul|date=4 January 2008|website=The Guardian|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424135531/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jan/05/france.sport|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2021 Ocean X-Prix of the electric off-road championship Extreme E was also hosted in Senegal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kew |first=Matt |date=30 May 2021 |title=Rosberg X Racing wins Senegal Extreme E despite clash with Hamilton's X44 team |url=https://www.autosport.com/extreme-e/news/rosberg-x-racing-wins-senegal-extreme-e-despite-clash-with-hamiltons-x44-team/6518526/ |access-date=30 May 2021 |publisher=Autosport}}</ref>

The 2026 Summer Youth Olympics are planned to be held in Dakar, Senegal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2022 |title=Dates for Dakar 2026 approved by IOC Executive Board |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/dates-for-dakar-2026-approved-by-ioc-executive-board |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214070243/https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/dates-for-dakar-2026-approved-by-ioc-executive-board |archive-date=14 December 2022 |access-date=15 August 2023 |publisher=International Olympic Committee}}</ref>

== See also == {{Portal|Senegal }} * Outline of Senegal {{Clear}}

== Explanatory notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}} * African Renaissance Monument

== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * Babou, Cheikh Anta, ''Fighting the Greater Jihad: Amadu Bamba and the Founding of the Muridiyya of Senegal, 1853–1913'', (Ohio University Press, 2007) * Buggenhage, Beth A, ''Muslim Families in Global Senegal: Money Takes Care of Shame'', (Indiana University Press, 2012) * Bugul, Ken, ''The Abandoned Baobab: The Autobiography of a Senegalese Woman'', (University of Virginia Press, 2008) * {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Senegal (colony) | volume= 24 |last= Cana |first= Frank Richardson | pages = 640–644 |short= 1}} * Foley, Ellen E, ''Your Pocket is What Cures You: The Politics of Health in Senegal'', (Rutgers University Press, 2010) * Gellar, Sheldon, ''Democracy in Senegal: Tocquevillian Analytics in Africa'', (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) * Glover, John, ''Sufism and Jihad in Modern Senegal: The Murid Order'', (University of Rochester Press, 2007) * Kane, Katharina, ''Lonely Planet Guide: The Gambia and Senegal'', (Lonely Planet Publications, 2009) * Kueniza, Michelle, ''Education and Democracy in Senegal'', (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011) * Mbacké, Khadim, ''Sufism and Religious Brotherhoods in Senegal'', (Markus Wiener Publishing Inc., 2005) * Streissguth, Thomas, ''Senegal in Pictures'', (Twentyfirst Century Books, 2009) * Various, ''Insight Guide: Gambia and Senegal'', (APA Publications Pte Ltd., 2009) * Various, ''New Perspectives on Islam in Senegal: Conversion, Migration, Wealth, Power, and Femininity'', (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) * Various, ''Senegal: Essays in Statecraft'', (Codesria, 2003) * Various, ''Street Children in Senegal'', (GYAN France, 2006)

;Folktale collections: * {{cite book |title=Contes et légendes du Sénégal |first=André |last=Terrisse |publisher=Fernand Nathan |date=1964 |lang=FR}} * {{cite book |title=Contes et mythes du Sénégal |first1=Lilyan |last1=Kesteloot |first2=Bassirou |last2=Dieng |publisher=IFAB/Enda éditions |date=2000 |isbn=9789291300310 |lang=FR}} * {{cite book |title=Contes, fables et récits du Sénégal |first=Lilyan |last=Fongang-Kesteloot |publisher=Karthala |date=2006 |lang=FR |isbn=9782845867444}} * {{Cite book |last1=Reuss-Nliba |first1=Didier |first2=Jessica |last2=Reuss-Nliba |date=2018 |title=Contes et légendes du Sénégal |location=Paris |publisher=Flies France |series=Aux origines du monde. Collection dirigée par Galina Kabakova |lang=FR |isbn=9782350746838}} {{Refend}}

== External links == {{Library resources box}} * [https://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=SN Key Development Forecasts for Senegal] from International Futures

=== Government === * [https://www.presidence.sn/en/ Presidency] – official website of the president of Senegal * [https://primature.sn Prime Minister] – official website of the prime minister of Senegal * [https://www.coursupreme.gouv.sn Supreme Court] – official website of the Supreme Court of Senegal * [https://www.ansd.sn Statistics and Demography] – official website of the National Agency for Statistics and Demography

=== History === * [https://tourisme.gouv.sn/histoire/ "History"] – Senegalese History at the Ministry of Tourism and Handicraft

=== Tourism === * [https://www.visitezlesenegal.com/en/ Destination Senegal] – Senegal's official tourism portal

=== Maps === * {{Wikiatlas}} * {{Osmrelation-inline|192775}}

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