Senegal is a country in West Africa. Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds The Gambia, a country occupying a narrow sliver of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates Senegal's southern region of Casamance from the rest of the country. Senegal also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde. Senegal's economic and political capital is Dakar. Long considered one of Africa's model democracies, the western African nation of Senegal has a tradition of stable governments and civilian rule. The country's stability has allowed it to send peacekeeping troops to DR Congo, Liberia and Kosovo.
Facts and Figures
Capital: Dakar
Population 15.5 million
Area 196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles)
Major languages French (official), Wolof
Major religion Islam
Life expectancy 65 years (men), 69 years (women)
Currency CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc
Source UN, World Bank