WEST AFRICA: SENEGAL Capital: Dakar Largest city: Dakar Languages: French Demonym: Senegalese Currency: CFA franc (XOF) Calling code: +221

Senegal is a country in West Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north. 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. Senegal covers a land area of almost 197,000 square kilometres and has an estimated population of about 13 million. Tourism in Senegal is a vital part of this West African nation's economy. The Senegalese landscape consists mainly of the rolling sandy plains of the western Sahel which rise to foothills in the southeast. Senegal is known across Africa for its musical heritage, due to the popularity of mbalax, which originated from the Serer percussive tradition especially the Njuup.

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Ngor Pirogue

WEST AFRICA: SENEGAL

Known for its mild climate, attractive beaches and great fishing,

Senegal has long been highly regarded by European tourists,

mostly French and Belgian. U.S. tourists often African-

Americans are increasing in numbers, drawn in particular by

the historic slave trading post of Goree Island.

Principal cities of interest include the capital, Dakar; Saint-Louis, an old colonial town; and the Mouride holy centre of Touba. Gorée Island, formerly a centre of the West African slave trade and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws many visitors.

Senegal has a small but developing National Park and Reserve System. Notable among these are the Langue de Barbarie National Park and Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary which provide wildlife habitat in the dunes and mangrove swamps surrounding the mouth of the Senegal River near picturesque city of Saint-Louis. The Niokolo-Koba National Park is a World Heritage Site and natural protected area

A large variety of wild animals, including hippopotomii, elephants, and lions are protected in the country National Parks.

The Basse Casamance and the Saloum delta National Park, in the far southwest, includes both ecotourism and tropical forest excursions, and a popular coastal beach resort aimed at foreign tourism.

To the north, the colonial island town of Saint-Louis is visited for its long history and colonial architecture. There are also safari trips offered to see wildlife, perhaps limited by east or South African standards.