Senegal: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 9, 2026

News •

Death toll rises to 39 after migrant boat capsizes off Senegal • Nov. 9, 2026, 10:49 AM ET (AP)

At least 21 dead after boat carrying migrants sinks off Senegal coast, interior ministry says • Nov. 8, 2026, 3:08 PM ET (AP)

Senegal is hosting Africa's first Olympic event as citizens battle a cost of living crisis • Nov. 2, 2026, 4:46 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	République du Sénégal • Republic of Senegal
Head Of Government	Prime Minister: Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo²
Capital	Dakar
Population	(2026 est.) 19,575,000
Head Of State	President: Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Form Of Government	multiparty republic with one¹ legislative house (National Assembly [165])
Official Language	French
Official Religion	none
Official Name	République du Sénégal (Republic of Senegal)
Total Area (Sq Km)	196,768
Total Area (Sq Mi)	75,973
Monetary Unit	CFA franc (CFAF)
Population Rank	(2026) 67
Population Projection 2030	19,909,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi	(2026) 257.7
Density: Persons Per Sq Km	(2026) 99.5
Urban-Rural Population	Urban: (2022) 47.6% • Rural: (2022) 52.4%
Life Expectancy At Birth	Male: (2023) 70.2 years • Female: (2023) 72.4 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000)	(2024) 31,068
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$)	(2024) 1,680
¹A second legislative house, the Senate, was created in 1999, abolished in 2001, reinstated in 2007, and abolished again in September 2012.²Post of prime minister was abolished in May 2019. The National Assembly voted in December 2021 to reinstate the position, but it was not filled until September 2022.

Photos

Map of Senegal and its surrounding region in West Africa, showing international boundaries, major cities including Dakar, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor, and neighboring countries Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. An inset locator map highlights Senegal's position on the continent.

Aerial view of Dakar, Senegal, showing densely packed buildings along the coastline with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

Map highlighting Senegal in light brown on the west coast of Africa, showing its location relative to neighboring countries including Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and the Atlantic Ocean. Major nearby cities such as Dakar are labeled.

Curved twin staircases lead to the upper level of a pinkish-red slave house on Goree Island, Senegal, with arched doorways and a sandy courtyard below.

Map of Senegal highlighting its physical features, including major rivers, national parks such as Niokolo Koba, faunal reserves, and Lake Guiers. The map shows Senegal bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and surrounds The Gambia. An inset locator map indicates Senegal's position on the west coast of Africa.

Casamance area, Senegal

Large baobab trees with thick trunks and sparse branches grow in a grassy, wooded landscape in Senegal, West Africa.

Red-billed quelea

National anthem of Senegal

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Topics

nation-state Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Economic Community of West African States Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Senegambia Mali Federation Stone Circles of Senegambia flag of Senegal French language United States India United Kingdom China Canada Russia Germany Australia Japan France

Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister of Senegal, stands at a podium in traditional attire addressing lawmakers in the National Assembly in Dakar.

Ousmane Sonko

prime minister of Senegal

Senegalese politician Macky Sall, pictured here in 2008, served as prime minister (2004–07) and president (2012–24) of Senegal

Macky Sall

president of Senegal

Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks at a podium labeled Diomaye President during his first press conference after winning Senegal's presidential election, with a Senegal flag beside him.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye

president of Senegal

Abdoulaye Wade.

Abdoulaye Wade

president of Senegal

Senegalese Pres. Léopold Senghor addressing the United Nations General Assembly, 1961

Léopold Senghor

president of Senegal

Louis Faidherbe

Louis Faidherbe

governor of French Senegal

Senegalese politician Abdou Diouf, pictured here in 1988, served as president of Senegal from 1981 to 2000

Abdou Diouf

president of Senegal

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Lamine Guèye

Senegalese politician

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Ousmane Socé

Senegalese writer and politician

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Alioune Diop

Senegalese politician and publisher

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.

Africa

continent

western Africa

Western Africa

region, Africa

Dakar, Senegal: waterfront

Dakar

national capital, Senegal

Touba, Senegal: Grand Mosquée

Touba

Senegal

Saint-Louis

Saint-Louis

Senegal

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Fouta

region, Senegal

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Tambacounda

Senegal

Kaolack

Kaolack

Senegal

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Louga

Senegal

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Thiès

Senegal

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Ziguinchor

Senegal

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Rufisque

Senegal

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Tivaouane

Senegal

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Diourbel

Senegal

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Niokolo Koba National Park

national park, Senegal

Opened passport with visas, stamps, seals, world map. (travel, tourism)

Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz

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Church of Saint George (Bet Giyorgis), Lalibela, Ethiopia. UNESCO World Heritage site.

Geography of Africa Quiz

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Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park is the highest mountain in Africa. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant Lobelia in foreground. (Mt. Kenya; Mt. Kenya National Park; mountains; rugged mountain; African geography, African landscape, stratovolcano)

Africa’s Physical Features

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The Country Quiz

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You Name It!

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Countries of the World

Actual continental drift of plates. Thematic map.

Geography Fun Facts