Senegal Culture History of Her People

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.

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"
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.

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.
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.

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