Senegal's capital, Dakar, lies on the westernmost cape of Africa. The country is mostly low, with open savanna and semidesert in the north and thicker savanna in the south. After independence from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled until 1981 by President Léopold Senghor. He was succeeded by his prime minister, Abdou Diouf, who held power for almost 20 years until his election defeat in March 2000.

Senegal has a fairly well-developed sense of nationhood, and intermarriage between groups has reduced ethnic tensions. Groups can still be identified regionally, however. Dakar is a Wolof area, the Senegal river is dominated by the Toucouleur, the Malinke mostly live in the east, and the Diola in Casamance. The Diola have felt excluded from politics, and this has led to a long-running rebellion in Casamance. A French-influenced class system is still prevalent. The 2001 constitution gave women property rights for the first time.

Strengths

Good infrastructure. Relatively strong industrial sector. First west African country with international credit rating. Revenue from sale of fishing rights.

Weaknesses

Few natural resources exploited, other than groundnuts, phosphates, and fish. Access to oil potential of Casamance region hampered by rebellion and poor transportation links.

Senegal has been a multiparty democracy since 1981, when, under the then new president Abdou Diouf, the constitution was amended to allow more than four political parties. However, the PS held power from the 1950s until 2000, and its influence has been pervasive. Presidential elections in 2000 marked a political watershed. Diouf was defeated by Abdoulaye Wade of the liberal democratic PDS, the dominant party in the "Sopi" (Change) coalition which went on to win a landslide victory in the 2001 legislative elections.

A new constitution, approved in 2001 by referendum, abolished the Senate and restricts the president to two terms.

Maintaining good relations with France, Senegal's main ally and aid donor, is the major foreign affairs concern. Relations with neighboring Gambia, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau continue to be a constant preoccupation.

France maintains an important naval base at Dakar. The armed forces total 9400, plus a paramilitary force of 5800, but the military has never intervened in politics. Senegalese troops took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and intervened in conflicts in Liberia, Rwanda, and the Central African Republic. They also helped to quell revolts in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

Senegal's electricity capacity is largely dependent on imported fuel; cheaper supplies are expected to become available soon from the Manantali dam in Mali. Initial explorations suggest that oil reserves may exist off Casamance.

The damming of the Senegal river has caused concern that traditional farming practices, which rely on seasonal floods, may be disrupted. Two major droughts in 1973 and 1983 led to the advance of the Sahara desert in the west of the country.

Dakar is an important west African port, serving Senegal itself, Guinea, the hinterland of Mali, and southern Mauritania. The key rail link to Bamako, Mali's capital, was built in the 1920s.

The state health system is rudimentary. A successful education campaign helps to contain the incidence of HIV/AIDS.

Illiteracy is Senegal's major educational challenge. There are universities at Dakar and St.-Louis.

Senegal has comparatively low crime rates, though levels are now rising in Dakar and the surrounding shanty towns, where gangs are based.

Wealth disparities are considerable, and poverty is widespread. Those close to the government are the wealthiest group.

In addition to French package tours to coastal resorts, tours for African–Americans to Gorée, an old slave island, are increasingly popular.

France colonized Senegal, a major entrepôt from the 15th century, in 1890. Dakar was the capital of French West Africa.

• 1885 Gambia split off from Senegal.
• 1960 Independence under Senghor.
• 1966–1976 One-party state.
• 1981 Full multipartyism restored.
• 2000 Presidency won by Abdoulaye Wade in first ever defeat for PS.
• 2001 Referendum approves new constitution.