Senegal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in West Africa.
It is the westernmost country in the mainland of the Old World or Eurafrasia and owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north
Senegal is externally bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south.
Internally it almost completely surrounds Gambia, namely on the north, east and south, except for Gambia's short Atlantic coastline.
Senegal covers a land area of almost 197,000 square kilometres (76,000 sq mi), and has an estimated population of about 13 million.
The climate is tropical with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, is located at the westernmost tip of the country on the Cap-Vert peninsula.
About 500 kilometers (310 miles) off the coast lie the Cape Verde Islands.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, numerous trading posts belonging to various European colonial empires were established along the coast.
After French colonization of the territory called French West Africa (Afrique occidentale française, or AOF), the town of St. Louis became the capital; in 1902 it was succeeded by Dakar.
When Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, it affirmed its capital as Dakar.
The country is part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Integrated with the main bodies of the international community,
Senegal is also a member of the African Union (AU) and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.
Since 2 April 2012, the country's president has been Macky Sall.
Republic of Senegal - République du Sénégal
Motto: "Un Peuple, Un But, Une Foi" (French)
"One People, One Goal, One Faith"
Anthem: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons /
Everyone strum your koras, strike the balafons
Capital and largest city: Dakar (14°40′N 17°25′W)
Official languages: French
Recognised regional languages:
• Wolof
• Soninke
• Serer
• Fula
• Maninka
• Jola
Ethnic groups:
• 43.3% Wolof
• 23.8% Fula
• 14.7% Serer
• 3.7% Jola
• 3.0% Mandinka
• 1.1% Soninke
• 1.0% European / Lebanese
• 9.4% others
Demonym: Senegalese
Government: Semi-presidential republic
• President
• Prime Minister
Legislature: Parliament
• Upper house: Senate
• Lower house: National Assembly
Independence from France: 20 June 1960
Withdrawal from the Mali Federation: 20 August 1960
Area:
• Total: 196,712 km2 (87th) - 76,000 sq mi
• Water (%): 2.1
Population:
2013 estimate 13,567,338 (67th) - 2002 census 9,967,299
Density: 68.0/km2 (134th) - 169.1/sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2012 estimate
• Total: $26.574 billion
• Per capita: $2,026
Currency: CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone: UTC
Drives on the right
Calling code: +221
ISO 3166 code: SN
Internet TLD: .sn
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With French Sudan, as the Mali Federation.
Algeria beat Malawi 2:0 in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday to be on the verge of booking their place at the final in Morocco.
Cape Verde have leapt into the top 10 of African teams in Fifa's world rankings for September.
Cameroon hit form to thrash Ivory Coast - They continued their resurgence as they hammered Ivory Coast 4:1 in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Yaounde.
• Sudan vs South Africa 0:3
• Guinea vs Togo 2:1
• Senegal vs Egypt 2:0
The 24-year-old Senegal international has moved to Upton Park after agreeing a four-year contract. His 43 goals over the last two seasons helped Metz win back-to-back promotions into France's Ligue 1.
Sierra Leone have climbed 14 places in the Fifa world rankings for August, lifting them into the top 50 for the fist time in their history.
N'Daw, who has played 44 times for his country, started his career in France with Sochaux in 2002.
Ba joined the Blues from Premier League rivals Newcastle in January 2013 on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The Senegalese international defender has signed an extension which will tie him to the club until 2016.
Ba's finish came just as Chelsea looked to be on the way out after Schurrle and Oscar were both denied by the woodwork - although the London side were helped by a crucial miss from the normally reliable Edinson Cavani minutes before the decisive goal.
