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Explore Senegal
Explore a map of Senegal. Find out more about some of the most important and interesting places in the country. Senegal is one of the most visited destinations in West Africa, there is plenty to see and do. See for yourself.
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A country of contrasts
Around a fifth of Senegal’s population live in the capital of Dakar, a place of contrasts. Large 4x4s drive alongside horse-carts and sky scrapers rise up over poor shanty-towns. Much of society remains deeply traditional, yet the city pulses with dance clubs at night.
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Flat and dry
Senegal is a flat low-lying country, with a dry north and green south. Along the coast, the deltas of its main rivers form unique and important wildlife areas.
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A man like no other
He is a man of many talents: a story teller, a counsellor, a keeper of history and a master drummer.
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Painting with Henna
Nail varnish isn’t necessary for young girls wanting to paint their nails in Senegal. A short walk to the bottom of the garden to the nearest henna plant is all it takes. Well, there is a little more to it than that!
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Music lovers
Over ten main ethnic groups live in Senegal. The Wolof are the largest, making up nearly half of the population. Music, both traditional and modern, plays an important part in the life of many.
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Rural areas suffer
The government spends nearly 12% of its budget on healthcare, funding vaccination programmes and campaigns to fight malaria and HIV/AIDS. Other types of medical care have to be paid for and with a shortage of doctors in rural areas, communities often rely on local healers and traditional medicines.
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A popular destination
With its tropical sandy beaches and stable environment, Senegal has become a popular tourist destination. Nearly a million foreigners visit Senegal each year.
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Hi, I'm Abdourahmane. Welcome to Senegal!
I think Senegal is a beautiful and welcoming country, and also an unusual one. For example, did you know that wrestling is very much part of our culture? One match can attract 80,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers. Personally, I like karate and basketball. I want to be a basketball player when I’m older.
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Wasted life
Thousands of child beggars roam the streets of Dakar. Some belong to an age-old religious tradition where they are sent out by holy men called Marabouts. But many are orphans or children of poor families who cannot afford to feed them.
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Tropical weather
The peanut (also known as the groundnut) is the most important local crop in Senegal. In the wetter southern half of the country, millet, maize (corn), sorghum and rice are also grown, as well as cassava, beans, sweet potatoes and many varieties of fruit.
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Reliant on agriculture
Agriculture employs around three-quarters of people in Senegal. Many of the country’s factories are involved with the processing and refining of produce and pre-prepared food products are currently the country’s top earning agricultural-based exports
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Investing in schools
In recent years, Senegal has focused on improving education, with a countrywide program of state-funded nurseries and free universal access to schooling. However poverty is still a barrier preventing many children from staying in education.
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Life expectancy - 62
Life expectancy is 62, in a country with a population over 10 million.
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Fighting Spirit
Many young women are forced into marriage at an early age. This means their education stops and they face the increased dangers of childbirth at a young age. Meet a courageous woman who was forced into marriage at just 13, but is making sure her daughters have a different future.
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'The Begging' and 'The Violence'
The children at the SOS Children’s Village in Kaolack made their own films. They were given a lesson in filming by professional cameramen. The poignant stories that they have created reflect their lives in some way. Watch and see what they came up with.
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Appearance is everything
The Senegalese take pride in their appearance and are proud of their traditional clothes. Even the poorest of people will be dressed to the nines.
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Stable and democratic
In 1659, the French colony of Saint-Louis was founded along the coast and a unique Franco-African culture formed, with French traders marrying mixed-race Senegalese. Senegal became fully independent from France in 1964 and adopted a multi-party system of government from the 1970s.
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Undisputed champions
Wrestling is the king of sports in Senegal. Many boys go straight to the wrestling ring for pratice after school – not the football pitch – with dreams of becoming a famous wrestler when they're older.
