Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 95 percent of the country’s population; the Christian community, at 4 percent of the population, includes Roman Catholics and diverse Protestant denominations. There is also a 1 percent population who maintain animism in their beliefs, particularly in the southeastern region of the country

Kaffrine – a town in Senegal, in the region of Kaolack. According to estimates for 2007, has 29 450 inhabitants

About 70% of the workforce works in agriculture, and the most profit-crops are sugar cane, cotton, rice and vegetables that is often wypierają so far grown peanuts.

The currency used in Senegal is the CFA franc.

The Senegal has a total population of approximately 10.9 million inhabitants (2004), the population density is at 57 inhabitants per square kilometer. The average life expectancy for men is 54.9 years to 58.2 years for women (2004).

The population of Senegal is composed of various ethnic groups, including the Wolof (33 per cent of the total population), the Serer (20 percent), the Fulbe (15 percent), which Tukulor (10 percent), the Dyola (8 percent) , The Bambara, the Malinke (both 6 percent) and the Sarakole (2 percent).

The majority of the population lives on the west coast, especially on the peninsula of Cape Verde in the catchment area of the capital Dakar. 51 percent of the population live in rural areas (2002). Dakar is the state capital, main port city and most important economic center of the country, the city has about 2.08 million inhabitants (2000). Other major cities are located in the western part of the country, including Thiès (216 000 inhabitants), Kaolack (193 000), Ziguinchor (162 000) and Saint-Louis (132 000).

The country’s official languages are French and Wolof. Even Serer and Fulbe are more widespread African languages. Wolof is the language of the largest population and is supported by most other residents as a second language. Senegalese languages usually have no or incomplete writing. Muslims use the Arabic alphabet to Wolof or the other languages to write. The majority of people committed to Islam, around 94 percent of Senegalese are Sunni Muslims. About 5 percent are Christian (mostly Roman Catholic), also live beyond followers of indigenous religions in the country.

Senegal celebrates Islamic, Christian and national holidays. These include New Year (January 1), Mawloud (the birthday of Mohammed), Easter, Independence (April 4), Labor Day (May 1), Ascension, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day (November 1) and Christmas ( December 25). The Islamic holidays are determined by the lunar calendar, so that they can each year on a different date fall. Tabaski at the head of the family slaughters a lamb in honor of Abraham. Korite is a feast at the end of Ramadan is celebrated two days and may persist. Tamkharit, the Islamic New Year, is also the day on the Muslim faith after the fate of every one of Yallah (Allah) is determined.

Senegal is a republic with a powerful presidency; the president is elected every seven years, amended in 2001 to every five years, by universal adult suffrage. The current president is Abdoulaye Wade, re-elected in March 2007.

Senegal has more than 80 political parties. The unicameral National Assembly has 120 members elected separately from the president. An independent judiciary also exists in Senegal. The nation’s highest courts that deal with business issues are the constitutional council and the court of justice, members of which are named by the president.

Today Senegal has a democratic political culture, being one of the more successful post-colonial democratic transitions in Africa. Local administrators are appointed by, and responsible to, the president. The marabouts, religious leaders of the various Senegalese Muslim brotherhoods, also exercise a strong political influence in the country, most notably the leader of the Mouride brotherhood, Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacke.

The beaches in the Cap Skiring area are among West Africa’s finest. Unsuprisingly, a thriving tourist industry has developed around it, though it remains pleasantly low-key. And just a short drive away from the bustle of the Cap, the tourist bustle gives way to small villages, and the golden beaches are calmer.

The best time to travel in Senegal is between November and February, when it’s fairly cool and dry. It’s also the best time to spot migratory birds and mammals. The only downside of visits during that time are the harmattan winds that bring in Sahara dust to cloud vision and waters (not great for scuba diving). The best music festivals happen in November/December and from April to June. Low tourist season is from July to September – the time of the tropical rains.

Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, located on the Cape Verde Peninsula, on the country’s Atlantic coast. It is Senegal’s largest city. Its position, on the western edge of Africa (it is the westernmost African city), is an advantageous departure point for trans-Atlantic and European trade; this fact aided its growth into a major regional port.

According to December 31, 2005 official estimates, the city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 2.45 million people.^[2]

Dakar is a major administrative centre, home to the National Assembly of Senegal and Senegal Presidential Palace.

Senegal (French: le Sénégal), officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country south of the Sénégal River in western Africa. Senegal is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. The Gambia lies almost entirely within Senegal, surrounded on the north, east and south; from its western coast, Gambia’s territory follows the Gambia River more than 300 kilometres (186 miles) inland. Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, located on the Cape Verde Peninsula on the country’s Atlantic coast.