20 interesting facts about one of West
Africa's countries in which more than 60% of the population is under the age of
25, Senegal her culture, history and people.
Senegal
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| Children of Senegal |
1. Senegal has a
population of over 14.3 million ranking 73rd on the world’s most populous
countries.
2. Senegal's
nationality is Senegalese using both the singular and plural form.
3. Languages of Senegal
may not surprise you since Senegal was once a French colony, the official
language is French, and the other major languages are Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, and
Mandinka.
4. Wolof is a language
spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, and it is the indigenous
language of the ethnic grouping of the Wolof people.
5. Wolof is the most
widely spoken language in Senegal even though the official language is French,
by most Senegalese.
6. Senegal
Motto is "Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi” "One People, One Goal, One
Faith"
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| The French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. |
7. Population without
electricity is around 55% or 6.4 million, urban areas 90% of people have access
to reliable electricity, however in rural areas of Senegal the number drops to
28%.
8. Major religion in
Senegal is Islam.
9. Senegal is located
in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau
and Mauritania.
10. It is
slightly smaller than the US State of South Dakota.
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| Senegal fishing boats |
11. Senegal's
capital is Dakar that was home to the Dakar Off-Road Rally until 2009 when the
race moved to South Africa.
12. There are 11
regions in Senegal comparable in function to county seats, Dakar, Diourbel,
Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, and
Ziguinchor.
13. The Dutch
established a slave port on island of Goree in 1588 and years later in 1659 it
became a key slave trading port.
14. During the
Seven Years War 1756–1763, Britain took over French posts in Senegal forming
the colony of Senegambia.
15. Slaves, ivory
and gold were exported from the coast during the 17th and 18th centuries.
16. The French colonies
of Senegal and French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted independence in
1960 as the Mali Federation.
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| Senegal Culture History and People |
17. The 40-year
reign of Senegal's Socialist Party came to a diplomatic end in the 2000
elections.
18. Senegal’s
Patriotic Symbol the African Renaissance Monument is to symbolize the
achievement of Africa but some have serious issues with the nudity and
symbolism of the 164-foot statue.
19. Climbing the
216 steps to the African Renaissance Monument you would not immediately discern
that local African artists feel unfairly denied the chance to work on a project
of national pride.
20. Located in
the Senegalese capital of Dakar the African Renaissance Monument cost millions
to create, $27 million dollars to be exact. The Senegalese Ex-President, unable
to pay the $27 million price tag on the work, gave real estate to North Korea’s
Mansudae Overseas Project, which later sold the land at profit in exchange for
the statue.