Senegal
Senegal has come to most peoples ttention in recent years due to their involvement in the FIFA soccer world cups. the country itself however has much to offer with vibrant music arts and crafts, and a progressive outlook.
Senegal is situated in West Africa. To the north is Mauritania, to the west Mali, and to the south Guinea and Guinea Bissau. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia is surrounded on 3 sides by Senegal.
Total Area:196,190 sq km
Land Borders: The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania
Population: 11,987,121
Life Expectancy: 59 years
HIV % Total Poulation:0.8
Ethnic Groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
Languages:French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
President:Abdoulaye WADE
GDP - Per Capita: $1,800
Independent from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled by the Socialist Party for forty years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. A southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982, but Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.