42 Interesting Facts About Senegal | What is Known for?

42 Interesting Facts About Senegal | What is Known for?

With rising popularity- sun-kissed Senegal, a West African country, a lovely place to go. This country is known for its vibrant culture, Colonial architecture, & vast holiday destinations.

Also, have killer hippopotamuses, Africa’s Mecca and the tallest statue, and even a few secluded beaches that welcome you! Still unconvinced?

Senegal Facts & Information

Official Name: Republic of Senegal
Capital City: Dakar
Population: 15,736,368
Area: 196,722 sq km
Languages: French, Wolof
Time Zone: UTC 0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
– Source: CIA World Fact Book

Here, we highlight few Interesting facts about Senegal to visit you someday!

Interesting Facts about Senegal to touch You

What is Senegal Known for?

No#1: How the names come?

From the Senegal River, “Azenegue,” the name of Senegal, originated is a Portuguese word. Another theory says the name comes from the Wolof “sunu gaal,” meaning “our boat.

Senegal Fun Facts

No#2: Sun-kissed Senegal

Geographically Dakar has fame being the most westerly point on the Africa continent you can enjoy here both sunrise and sunset.

No#3: Hosting the Olympics

As first African country “Senegal” will host the Youth Olympic Games in 2022. The international community will get a great chance to discover the Terranga Land. The game will be held centering three cities: Diamniadio, Dakar, & the Senegal capital city.

Senegal Culture Facts

No#4: 7 UNESCO sites

With natural & cultural significance Senegal has 7 UN-recognized to justify the beauty of this country. 

  • Saloum Delta,
  • Goree Island,
  • Bassari Country,
  • The Stone Circles of Senegambia
  • Saint-Louis Island,
  • Niokolo-Koba National Park
  • Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

No#5: Quick trip

Sometimes Senegal has known the Gateway to Africa for its coastline-the continent farthest western point. You can go on a leisurely flight within eight hours from New York to Senegal’s capital city.

No#6: Paris of Africa

Dakar, nicknamed the Paris of Africa, Senegal’s capital. This high-tempo town teems with musicians, artists, and high fashion abounds on the roads. You must take cute something to wear if you visit there.

No#7: Francais control

Thought the French officially controlled Senegal in 1895. Senegalese soldiers struggled for France in world wars. In 1960, Senegal got independence from France, but still, Senegal’s formal language is French. In a heavy tourist spot, English is spoken.

No#8: Amazing Baobob trees:

As an essential part of the country’s culture, the baobab tree is the official Senegal symbol. The pulp leaves, bark, and fruit of these trees are used for food, ropes, medicine, and wild fodder.

No#9: Awesome Wolof ways:

In Senegal, Wolof’s largest ethnic group is making up almost two-fifths of the population; after French, the wolf language is most familiar in Senegal. Wolof women are famous for their great hairstyles, billowing & bright dresses also gold jewelry.

No#10: Model democracies

In West Africa, Senegal is regarded as one of the model democracies regions with, booming history of sturdy government and civilian law.

No#11: Empires history

Senegal has been part of different empires such as the Tukulor Empire, the Kingdom of Ghana, and the Jolof Empire.

No#12: Intense to European powers:

Senegal was of high intensity to European powers. The British, Portuguese, Dutch & French contended for command of the area because of its strategic position for trading goods & slaves.

No#13: ‘Door of No Return’:

Goree Island is considered the ‘Door of No Return’; here, millions of Africans were stopped to a life of slavery in the Americas & the Caribbean.

No#14: Good fortune believes:

In Senegal, few drivers attach sheep, cattle or horse, hair to their taxis as they believe as good luck & will ring good fortune.

No#15: Surfing movie:

The Endless Summer – surfing movie was partially shot in Senegal highly influential film shot in 1966.

What is Senegal Famous for?

No#16: The Great Green Wall:

Around 16km wide & 7,000km long tree planting scheme began in 2012, Senegal. However, the project is under schedule, still optimism for completion.

No#17: Continental westernmost point:

“The Cape Verde Peninsula” is regarded as the westernmost point of the Africa continent.

No#18: Birthplace of Fadiouth

Senegal is considered the birthplace of Fadiouth, a tiny car-free island made of clamshells, including the streets, houses, and cemeteries.

No#19: “Gateway to Africa”:

Senegal is considered the “Gateway to Africa” because it is served by various maritime & air travel routes.

Senegal Famous Landmarks

No#20: Lake Rose:

Sometimes Lake Retba in Senegal turns rosy pink due to its high salt content ten times that ocean water.

No#21: Borom Sarret-film:

The first African film is Borom Sarret, directed & produced by an African, Ousmane Sembene, known as the “father of African cinema.”

No#22: Africa’s tallest statue:

African Renaissance Monument in Senegal is Africa’s tallest statue, almost 49m to have cost $27 million.

No#23: ‘Akon City’:

Entrepreneur & Rapper Akon is part-Senegalese. Recently He declared his city called ‘Akon City’ in Senegal.

No#24: Surprisingly safe:

Although the Foreign Office says against all but quick travel to neighboring Mauritania, Mali and Senegal are considered the safest countries.

No#25: Senegal own dance:

The energetic dance Dubbed Sabar is highly sexualized and needs commendable fitness. Gregarious arm & leg movements are created to the beat of a drum.

No#26: National symbol:

The national symbol of Senegal is Lions. Niokolo Koba National Park is maybe the best place to spot West African lions in Senegal.

No#27: Original Seashells Island:

Seafood-lover Senegalese probably made the world’s most original island with millions of mollusk shells. Pathways Houses, and even are created from seashells. You will feel a crunch under your feet when you walk.

No#27: Atlantic Slave Trade center:

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Senegal’s west coast was the international slave trade & transit point.

No#28: Ivory, slaves, and gold:

These three things represent Senegal towards a world in the 17th-18th century.

No#29: With no military coup:

In West Africa, Senegal is the only country without running a military coup.

No#30: The port town of Dakar:

Senegal’s capital is the port town of Dakar. Its history has given it the shape of the most cosmopolitan & liberal cities of Africa.

No#31: Nerve center of Senegal:

De l’Obélisque is Senegal’s the nerve center; the central plaza of Dakar. All the essential moments of Senegal’s latest history passed through this place.

No#32: National flag meaning:

Senegal’s national flag offers three colors; red, green & yellow; the formal Pan-African colors, and the middle star represents universal unity.

No#33: Popular TV show:

Actually, in Senegal, the humble sheep is the most popular TV show. Khar Bii is also a show with five long seasons, showing the best sheep of Senegal.

No#34: Terrible affairs:

In the year 2016, in the Senegal River, twenty-five fishers were mauled to death. It was unusual to suspect that the killer was the hippopotamus.

No#35: Ethnic tribes:

Different ethnic tribesSenegal River is dotted of each distinct by their beliefs & practices of animist and ceremonies, dances, dressing styles, food, music, etc.

Ethnic tribes

No#36: Senegal Rivers prominent link:

With the vastness of Africa & the Great Trans-Saharan, the Senegal River linked mostly in trade across. It developed the contact between Ghana & the Morocco Empire in the middle Ages.

No#37: The “madd” fruit:

This is the native fruit to Senegal also the international market as well.

Famous People from Senegal

No#38: Music:

For the Senegalese people, music is like a lifeblood. Musical instruments of indigenous like the balafon & kora are enlisted in the first line of this country’s national anthem.

No#39: A paradise for footballers:

Senegal is considered a paradise for footballers; players like Henri Camara, El Hadji Diouf, Bouna Coundoul, Ferdinand Coly, etc., have joined the European League from Senegal.

No#40: “Teranga”- the popular lingo:

 The Senegal common lingo is just a word called “Teranga” with a very hospitable & sweet meaning and stands as Senegalese’s identity. It means assisting any one person is coming your land also settle down.

No#41: Wedding affair:

With an elaborate affair, the Senegalese wedding was held. First, with not rings & Kola nuts, the groom comes to the bride’s place. It is a proposal part, even if the bride accepts this part over.

Then, the bride goes with sweets, fruits; rice; money, and the humble sheep to the groom’s family for marrying. They never miss taking sheep.

No#42: Religious rule:

More than 90 percent of Senegalese are practicing Islam. But the government considers both Christian & Muslim holidays. In West Africa, “Touba” is the Great Mosque, also the largest of its kind.

Hence, which interesting facts you love more, let us know in the comment section.

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