The West African country of Senegal is blessed with all the assets that go in the making of a great tourist destination, be it golden sun kissed beaches, quaint seaside resorts, great range of water and adventure sports, cultural, historic and gorgeous natural sites or unlimited opportunities for dining and shopping. Located five hours away from Western Europe and approximately seven hours away from the East Coast of the United States, Senegal is a favored holiday destination of many tourists who flock to the country all year round.
Your trip to Senegal will remain incomplete without visiting some of its spectacular, soft sandy beaches. If you have a penchant for underwater sports such as diving and snorkeling, you can visit the vibrant reefs and cays of Senegal that brim with colorful aquatic life and hold out the promise of some of the most astonishing sightings of the underworld.
Senegal is also a heaven for connoisseurs and art enthusiasts as it has served as a cradle for many popular forms of arts and handicrafts. You can buy the exquisite wares produced by the ace artisans of Senegal in all the major markets across the country.
Some Fast Facts about Senegal:
Some interesting facts about Senegal have been given below for your convenience.
- National name: République du Sénegal (Republic of Senegal)
- Total area: 75,749 sq mi (196,190 sq km)
- Land area: 74,131 sq mi (191,999 sq km)
- Arable land: 13%
- Population (2007 est.): 12,521,851
- Growth rate: 2.6%
- Birth rate: 37.4/1000
- Infant mortality rate: 60.2/1000
- Life expectancy: 56.7
- Population density per sq mile: 169
- Labor force: 4.82 million
- Capital and largest city: Dakar
- Monetary unit: CFA Franc
- Official Language: French (official)
- Other Languages spoken: Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
- Ethnicity Mix: Wolof 43.3%, Fulani 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Diola 3.7%, Mandingo 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
- Religions: Islam 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous 1%
- Literacy rate: 40%
- Major Industries: Agricultural, fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials,ship construction and repair
- Major trading partners: India, Mali, France, Italy, Spain, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Nigeria, Thailand
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