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Fun facts about Senegal

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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.
country

The name 'Senegal' may derive from a Portuguese transliteration of the name of the Zenaga or from a combination of the Serer deity Rog Sene and the word for 'body of water'.

Senegal
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country

Senegal

Population
18.9M
Area
196,722 km²
Capital
Dakar
Continent
Africa
69th most populous country in the world

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland 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.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Awnsham Churchill / John Churchill · Public Domain

Fact 1 permalink
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.
country

The Jolof Empire, founded in the 14th century, was a voluntary confederacy of various states rather than a state built on military conquest.

Senegal
Tap to learn more
country

Senegal

Population
18.9M
Area
196,722 km²
Capital
Dakar
Continent
Africa
69th most populous country in the world

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland 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.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Awnsham Churchill / John Churchill · Public Domain

Fact 2 permalink
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.
country

Senegal has more than 80 political parties and a unicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly with 150 seats.

Senegal
Tap to learn more
country

Senegal

Population
18.9M
Area
196,722 km²
Capital
Dakar
Continent
Africa
69th most populous country in the world

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland 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.

From the “Government and politics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Awnsham Churchill / John Churchill · Public Domain

Fact 3 permalink
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.
country

Senegal's capital, Dakar, is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, which is the westernmost point of continental Africa.

Senegal
Tap to learn more
country

Senegal

Population
18.9M
Area
196,722 km²
Capital
Dakar
Continent
Africa
69th most populous country in the world

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland 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.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Awnsham Churchill / John Churchill · Public Domain

Fact 4 permalink
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.
country

Islam is the predominant religion in Senegal, practiced by 97.2% of the population, with a significant portion belonging to Sufi orders.

Senegal
Tap to learn more
country

Senegal

Population
18.9M
Area
196,722 km²
Capital
Dakar
Continent
Africa
69th most populous country in the world

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland 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.

From the “Demographics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Awnsham Churchill / John Churchill · Public Domain

Fact 5 permalink