THE COUNTRY OF HOSPITALITY: SENEGAL
Senegal is a small coastal country on the western horn of Africa. It surrounds the Gambia, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea-Bissau and Guinea to the south. The area of the country is a little less than 197,000 km squared, slightly smaller than the size of South Dakota (CIA World Factbook). Senegal has a tropical climate which is typically hot and humid. The rainy season starts in May and ends in November. Among its most abundant natural resources are fish, phosphate, and iron ore.
Senegal's estimated population is 13 million, about 94% of which are Muslim. Within Senegal there are at least 20 different ethnic groups, the largest being Wolof (43.3%), Pular (23.8%), and Serer (14.7%). French is the only official language, but Wolof, Jola, Serer, Pulaar, and Maninka are among the recognized regional languages.
Important Country Statistics from CIA World Factbook
Senegal ranks 155 out of 187 on the United Nations Human Development Index (2011).
Recent Historical Background
Before gaining independence in 1960, Senegal was a colony of France.
Senegal's estimated population is 13 million, about 94% of which are Muslim. Within Senegal there are at least 20 different ethnic groups, the largest being Wolof (43.3%), Pular (23.8%), and Serer (14.7%). French is the only official language, but Wolof, Jola, Serer, Pulaar, and Maninka are among the recognized regional languages.
Important Country Statistics from CIA World Factbook
- Maternal mortality rate: 370 deaths/100,000 live births
- Infant mortality rate: 55.16 deaths/1,000 lives births
- Life expectancy at birth: 60.18 years
- HIV/AIDS - Adult prevalence rate: 0.9%
- Literacy (People over the age of 15 who can read and write): 39.3%
- School life expectancy: 8 years
Senegal ranks 155 out of 187 on the United Nations Human Development Index (2011).
Recent Historical Background
Before gaining independence in 1960, Senegal was a colony of France.
"The World Factbook: Senegal." CIA - The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web.19 Nov. 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html>.