senegaljess

﻿   ﻿The country of Senegal.

Inhabited in prehistoric times, Senegal was establised by Islam in the 11th c﻿entury. Populated by a majority of Muslims, the population is up to 14,086,103 people. Senegal is around the size of South Dakota, at approximately 196,840 square kilometers. For the most part, there are small, rolling, plains. Rain is rare, although the Senegal River Valley floods once a year. Senegal consists of two seasons, primarily winter and summer. Seasons depend on rainy and dry weather, and the temperature can go above 100 degrees during the day. June through October is usually the rainy season.

Dakar, the capitol of this country, is on the Cap-Vert Peninsula. Surrounding Senegal is Mauritania, Mali, and Guinea. The largest ethnic group in Senegal is Wolof. For the most part, they live in the Northwest. Pular, Serer, Diola of Casamance, Mandink, Soninke, Tukulor, Fulani, and also Bambara are ethnic groups. Senegal is a republic country under Democratic rule. The president is elected by universal suffrage, and you must be 18 to vote. The GDP is $1,800 billion.for Senegal. They gained their independence April 4th, 1960.

Natural Resources: Fish, peanuts, phosphate, iron ore, gold, titanium, oil and gas, cotton

Natural Hazards: Lowlands flooded, periodic droughts

Enviornmental Issues: Desertification, cutting dwon of forests, soil erosion

Agriculture: Forestry, Livestock, Fisheries

Industries: Agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining; iron ore, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair

Labor Force by Occupation: Agriculture; 77.5% Industry and Services: 22.5%

Population: About 12,853, 259 people

Annual Growth Rate: 2%

Net Migration Rate: 0 immigrants/1,000 population (2,000 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate: 52.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life Expectancy: 59.25 years (2006 est.)

Literacy:15 and over can read and write

Religion: Muslim, Christian, Traditional

Language: French, English in tourist areas

Education: Age 7-13, lack of facilities

Unemployment: 48%

Exports: Petroleum products, phosphates and manufacturing goods.

Imports: Capitol goods, fuel, and food items.

Illicit Drugs: Cannabis is the most popular drug; it is grown by farmers. Also cocaine and heroin.

PRIME MINISTERS:

code Mamadou Dia            18 May 1957 - 18 Dec 1962 (+2009) UPS Abdou Diouf            26 Feb 1970 - 31 Dec 1980         UPS/PSS Habib Thiam             1 Jan 1981 -  3 Apr 1983         PSS Moustapha Niasse        3 Apr 1983 - 29 Apr 1983         PSS (interim) Habib Thiam             8 Apr 1991 -  3 Jul 1998         PSS Mamadou Lamine Loum     3 Jul 1998 -  2 Apr 2000         PSS Moustapha Niasse        2 Apr 2000 -  3 Mar 2001         AFP Mame Madior Boye        3 Mar 2001 -  4 Nov 2002         PDS Idrissa Seck            4 Nov 2002 - 21 Apr 2004         PDS Macky Sall             21 Apr 2004 - 19 Jun 2007         PDS Hadjibou Soumaré       19 Jun 2007 - 30 Apr 2009         n/p Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye 30 Apr 2009 -                    PDS code

Map of Senegal:

Works Cited: Bratvold, Gretch ed. __Senegal in Pictures.__ Lerner Publications Company, 1998 "Background Note Senegal." __US Dept. Of State__. August 2010. 26 Sept. 2010 