Senegal-GENERAL INFORMATION

Population

Main Cities Population Dakar   1,641,358   Thies   216,381   Kaolack   193,115   Zinqunichor   161,680   Saint Louis   132,499   Total population (millions): 10.5 Source: World Bank 2004 Urban population: 50% Source: World Bank 2004 Average annual population growth: 2.1% Source: World Bank 2004 Surface area (km²) : 196,720 Population origin Origin of the population % Of the population Ouolof 43 Toucouleur 24 Serere 15 Diola 5 Mandingue 4 Sarakhol?/TD> 2 Other 7

Local time

It is %T:%M %A in Dakar

GMT

Languages Official language: French Spoken languages: The Wolof for most people, but there are also the Diola, the Poulaar, the Malink?and the Mandingue. If, in the East of Africa, the Swahili has developed as the common language, in Western Africa the predominant language is the old colon's languages, French, here. However, the Wolof is spoken and understood by several Senegalese. Dialects are numerous (at least 50, 15 of which are spoken by more than 15,000 people). It is to be noted that following the example of numerous essentially Muslim ethnies, the Wolofs and Madingues use the traditional Arab greetings (Salaam Aleikoum, Aleikoum Asalaam...) Business language: French and Wolof. Free translation tools in Senegal : Babel Fish Free French-English-French translation of texts and web pages

Religion Religious practises : mainly Islam (94 %), Christianity (5 %) and animism (1 %).

Political system Senegal is a Republic with a presidential regime. The President is elected by universal suffrage for 7 years and he has full executive power; he is assisted by his Prime Minister. The legislative power is held by the National Assembly, composed of 120 members elected by universal suffrage every years. Head of State: President Abdoulaye Wade (2000) Prime Minister : Idrissa Seck (PDS, 2002).

Climate

 

Capital: Dakar

Tourism

Number of visitors in Senegal 2002 2003 2004 World rank Number of visitors (1000) 427   354   363   n.a. Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005

 

Tourist sites -Dakar: the Presidencial Palace ; The National Assembly; the Cathedral ...... -Saint Louis and the Senegal river; the lake of Guiers; the national parks of Djoudj and the Barbary Tongue -Sine Saloum: the Saloum islands; Megalithic Sites. -Saly: beaches. -Casamance: the fields; the peghe; the rice harvest and the village under the cheese dairy. -Joal and Fadiouth: Jaoul beach. -Cayar: the pink lake -The Goree island: the slave's house For more information about tourism in Senegal , check out the following web site(s) : Senegal Tourism Board

Food Traditional dishes Groundnut and chicken soup Groundnuts Chicken Thebouidienne: fish with vegetables. In Senegal, this traditional dish is generally prepared with Tiof, a local fish. The hake is the most similar fish but it can be substituted by a light fish such as haddock, sea bream, conger etc. Usually, the fish is served in a service dish; the rice in another one and the cooking juice in a sauceboat. Chicken Yassa : it is the flavour of lime, garlic, and clove. It is usually served with rice in a service dish wich is placed in the centre of the table and the dinner guests eat it with their fingers. In Senegal, they stab every piece of meat with a chopper to make it more tender before it is marinaded. Time of preparation: less than 30 min. Coconut Cake: it is a kind of fritter. The fish is the main ingredient of the daily diet, chicken, lamb or beef are sometimes in the meals. Some gnu or wild boar grill can also be found on the restaurants menus. Food-related taboos You will not find any pork because 90% of the population is Muslim.