Senegal (country)

B

Principal Cities

Dakar (population, 2000 estimate, 2,079,000) is the principal port and commercial centre, as well as the capital. Other major urban centres are Thiès (228,017, 1996 estimate), Kaolack (199,023, 1996 estimate), Ziguinchor (180,555, 1996 estimate), and St-Louis (132,425, 1996 estimate), all of which are in western Senegal.

C

Religion

About 94 per cent of the people are Sunni Muslim, and about 4 per cent are Roman Catholic.

D

Language

There are 12 official languages in Senegal, French, which has few first-language speakers, and 11 native languages: Balanta-Ganja, Hassaniyya, Jola-Fonyi, Mandinka, Mandjak, Mankanya, Noon, Pulaar, Serer-Sine, Soninke, and Wolof.

E

Education

Adult literacy in 2005 was 42.1 per cent. Education in Senegal is, in theory, compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 12. However, only about 80 per cent of primary-school-age children and 19 per cent of secondary-school-age Senegalese actually attend school. Some 1,159,721 students were enrolled in primary schools in 2000, about 262,738 in secondary and vocational schools, and around 16,700 in local institutions of higher education. Over 3,000 were studying overseas, mainly in France. The University of Dakar, founded in 1949, has a noted research institute for studies of black Africa. The principal art, history, and maritime museums are in Dakar. In 2002–2003, 3.7 per cent of the country’s gross national product (GNP) was spent on education.

IV

Economy

Senegal’s GNP (World Bank estimate) in 2004 was about US$7,186 million, equivalent to a per capita income of US$700. Although overwhelmingly agricultural, Senegal has a growing industrial sector, one of the largest in West Africa. Nevertheless, the economy remains largely dependent on a single crop: peanuts. Economic reforms have been pursued since 1994, and have had some success, including growth in GDP. Important technical and economic assistance has been provided by France, the European Union, and the World Bank. In 2001 annual budget figures included about US$710 million in expenditures and US$821 million in revenues.