history of Senegal

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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.

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 western Africa in the late 19th century showing areas under French and British control in 1880, and illustrating the advance of French, British, and German colonial forces with dated arrows. French-controlled territory is shaded green and British-controlled territory is shaded purple, with major advances and key cities labeled. Boundaries between mandates established in 1919 are also marked, and an inset locates the region within Africa.

Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia.

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

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

President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade speaks at a podium with the United Nations emblem, wearing a gray suit and red tie.

The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal, shows a towering bronze statue of a man, woman, and child atop a hill, with a long staircase and visitors below.

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

history of Senegal: Media

Images

Senegal

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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.

Senegal

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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.

Gorée Island, Senegal: Maison des Esclaves (“Slave House”)

Maison des Esclaves (“Slave House”), Gorée Island, Senegal.

© GoLo/stock.adobe.com

Map of western Africa in the late 19th century showing areas under French and British control in 1880, and illustrating the advance of French, British, and German colonial forces with dated arrows. French-controlled territory is shaded green and British-controlled territory is shaded purple, with major advances and key cities labeled. Boundaries between mandates established in 1919 are also marked, and an inset locates the region within Africa.

European penetration into western Africa in the late 19th century

Map showing the penetration into western Africa by European countries in the late...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia.

Colonization of Africa by European countries

Map showing the colonization of Africa by European countries in the 19th and early...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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

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

United Nations Photograph

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

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

Roland Godefroy

President of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade speaks at a podium with the United Nations emblem, wearing a gray suit and red tie.

Senegalese Pres. Abdoulaye Wade at the United Nations, 2003

Michelle Poiré/UN Photo

The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal, shows a towering bronze statue of a man, woman, and child atop a hill, with a long staircase and visitors below.

African Renaissance Monument

Unveiled in 2010 as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Senegal's...

© Kemaltaner/Dreamstime.com

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

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

© Rignese

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-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaking at a press conference after being...

© John Wessels—AFP/Getty Images

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

Ousmane Sonko

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressing lawmakers in the National Assembly,...

© Seyllou—AFP/Getty Images