Interesting Senegal Facts
Senegal is a coastal country located in Western Africa where it is bordered by The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and the Atlantic Ocean. It encompasses 196,722 km2 of land. The estimated overall population of Senegal is in excess of 15,850,567.
Check out interesting Senegal facts and information about this African country with our fact file for kids. Identify important facts about the population, location, size, climate, currency, flag, continent, language, people, culture, geography, landscape and landmarks of Senegal.
Find out important information about Africa with our interesting Senegal facts for kids based on questions such as: What continent is Senegal in? How big is Senegal? What is the geography of Senegal like? What color is the flag of Senegal? What is the main language of Senegal?
Senegal Fact File: Continent: Africa * Country Name(s): Senegal, Republic of Senegal * Location: Western Africa * Bordering: The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and the Atlantic Ocean * Capital City: Dakar * Size: 196,722 km2 * Estimated Population: over 15,850,567 * Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF) * Language(s): French * Country Code: +221
Interesting Senegal Facts for Kids
Interesting Facts for Kids 1: Size & location facts
Senegal is located on the continent of Africa, where it has a coastal position and is bordered by The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and the Atlantic Ocean. There are seven continents in the world: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Antarctica, Australia (Oceania). Africa is the second largest continent in the world, it has 54 countries, spans a total area of 30,370,000 km2 and forms 20.4% of the world's landmass. Senegal is a coastal country that spreads over a total area of approximately 196,722 km2. It is a small to medium sized country when compared to other countries on the African mainland.
Interesting Facts for Kids 2: Population facts
The population of this African country is somewhere in the region of 15,850,567 people. The majority of Senegal's inhabitants reside in Dakar which is the country's most populous city. Senegal has a fairly high population when compared to most other countries across the world, its overall population density is approximately 63 people per sq km. The estimated population of Africa is approximately 1,186,178,000 inhabitants, making it the continent with the second largest population in the world. The continents in order of population, starting with highest population first, are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia (Oceania Region) and Antarctica. The total population of the entire world is in excess of 7.6 billion people.
Interesting Facts for Kids 3: Capital & major cities
Senegal's capital city is called Dakar. The names of other major cities situated in this country are Pikine, Touba, Thiès, Thiès Nones and Saint-Louis.
Interesting Facts for Kids 4: Country borders
The following border information provides details on the length of Senegal's borders:
Coastline 531 km, The Gambia 749 km, Guinea 363 km, Guinea-Bissau 341 km, Mali 489 km, Mauritania 742 km.
Interesting Facts for Kids 5: Climate and geography facts
The climatic conditions of Senegal can be described as tropical, and are characterized by strong winds, hot, humid conditions, and a rainy season that occurs from May to November. The Harmattan winds occur from December to April, bringing a hot and dry season. Senegal's geography consists majorly of low flatland, rolling plains and hilly areas. The lowest point of Senegal is the Atlantic Ocean at 0m, and the highest point of elevation is unna at m.ed elevation 2.8 km southeast of Nepen Diaka 648m
Interesting Facts for Kids 6: Natural Resources of Senegal
Natural resources can be described as materials and substances found naturally occurring on Earth. Natural resources are very important across the world, and can be exploited for economic gain. The level of resources that occur naturally in an individual country are influenced by varying factors such as the geography, climate and location of that country. Some countries are very rich in natural resources, where as others have limited to none. Countries that have particularly rich resources include Russia, The United States, Saudi Arabia and Canada. Three of the primary uses of natural resources are food, transport and construction. The following examples provide information on the everyday uses of natural resources: Fish occurs naturally in many bodies of water and can be caught for food consumption. Crude oils can be refined into various fuels in order to power vehicles/cars. Wood/timber can be extracted from forests and used to construct houses and furniture. The natural resources found in Senegal include fish, phosphates and iron ore.
Interesting Facts for Kids 7: Language facts
The official language of Senegal is French. Other languages that are used as a primary form of communication but on a smaller scale include Pular, Wolof, Mandinka, Jola, Serer and Soninke
Interesting Facts for Kids 8: Religion facts
The main religion of Senegal is Muslim at approximately 96% of the population. People belonging to the Islamic religion worship Allah. In the English language, the word Allah refers to God in Islam. Those belonging to the religion of Islam believe in one god. Most of Senegal’s population are Muslim and follow the practices of Islam. Around 3% are Christian. The remaining population either belongs to other religions or no religion at all.
Interesting Facts for Kids 9: Symbols of Senegal
Every country has its own unique culture, history and identity. Flags, symbols, emblems, mottos, songs, anthems and colors are used by countries across the world to represent national pride and identity. These national symbols are created through the unique history of a nation and can portray both hardship and prosperity, embodying freedom, strength and unity. Flags, emblems, songs, mottos and colors reflect the past, present and future hopes of a country, and create an important image to the rest of the world. National symbols can represent a combination of things that are important to a country such as birds, animals, plants, geographical features, tools of agriculture, crops, and tools of war. The following facts and information provide a guide to some of the most important national symbols, songs and colors of Senegal:
National symbol(s): lion
National colors: green, yellow and red
National Anthem/Song: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons (Translation: Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)
National Holiday(s): Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
National Motto(s): Un peuple, un but, une foi (Translation: One people, one goal, one faith)