Senegal

Introduction

Capital: Dakar

Population

Total Population: 12,411,094

Annual growth rate: 2.8%

Density: 64 inhabitant/km²

Urban population: 42.1%

Population of main cities including suburbs: Dakar (2,625,000); Touba Mosquee (530,000); Thies (260,000); Kaolack (190,000); Mbour (180,000).

Ethnic Origins: Wolofs (43%), Halpulaar (24%), Sereres (15%), Dioulas (5%), Mandingues (4%)

Official Language: French

Other languages spoken: The Wolof for most people, but there is also the Dioula, the Poulaar, the Malinké and the Mandingue. The Wolof is spoken and understood by most of the Senegalese. Dialects are numerous (at least 50, 15 of which are spoken by more than 15,000 people). It is to be noted that since many of the ethnic groups are essentially Muslims, the Wolofs and the Mandingues use the traditional Arab greetings.

Business language: French and Wolof

Religion: The religions in Senegal are mainly Islam (94%), Christianity (5%) and animism (1%).

Literacy rate: 39.3%

Local time:

It is %T:%M %A in Dakar

Exchange rate on :

National currency:
CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF)

Country overview

Type of State: Republic state based on parliamentary democracy with presidential form of government.

Type of economy: Low-income economy, Developing Country.
Very few natural resources; fishing and tourism are the main sectors of activity.

HDI*: 0,502/1

HDI (world rank): 153rd/177

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, is an indicator which synthesizes several data such as life expectancy, level of education, professional careers, access to culture etc.

Telecommunication

Telephone code:
To call from Senegal, dial 00
To call in Senegal, dial +221

Internet suffix: .sn

Telephone lines: 2.0 per 100 inhabitants

Internet users: 8.4 per 100 inhabitants

Access to electricity: 33% of the population

Foreign trade in figures

Foreign trade indicators	2003	2004	2005	2006
Imports of goods (millions USD)	2,066	2,496	2,889	3,194
Exports of goods (millions USD)	1,257	1,509	1,578	1,594
Imports of services (millions USD)	591	698	805	839
Exports of services (millions USD)	569	670	774	804