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There's no mistaking the French influence in Senegal, Africa. You'll hear French spoken nearly everywhere in the country, and you'll see its colonial heritage in the wide boulevards and stylish elegance of downtown Dakar, Senegal's capital, which still claims a large French population, as well as in Saint Louis, the first French settlement in Africa.

But the hospitality and warmth of the Senegalese are unmistakably African. Senegal's combination of comfortable climate, good food, vibrant culture and friendly people make it an ideal introduction to West Africa.

Though you're not guaranteed to see big game as in the parks of East Africa, the country does claim one of the best wildlife parks in the region in the vast Niokolo-Koba National Park. On the downside, prices are relatively steep—this is not a destination for budget travelers. And although facilities for tourists who travel Senegal are quite well-developed, so are the tricks of hustlers and con artists that lurk in tourist areas.

Geography

The most westerly country in Africa, Senegal is perched on the so-called "bulge of Africa," and its northern border is formed by the Senegal River, the second-longest waterway in West Africa. Senegal has a varied geography, encompassing both tropical forests and the semiarid plains of the Sahel, a region plagued by recurrent drought and overgrazing.

Senegal surrounds The Gambia, a tiny country set on the Gambia River, on three sides.

Rainfall is highest along the coastal belt, especially in the southern region known as the Casamance, and lowest in the thinly populated northeast.

Except for a few hills (the tallest rise to 1,640 ft/500 m), most of the country consists of dry, low-lying plains where peanuts are grown (during the rainy season, you can see great mounds of them along the roads, covered with tarpaulins).

History

In the 14th century, the area that is now Senegal was part of the Djolof Empire, dominated by the local Wolof people. Portuguese explorers arrived a century later and established an important slave center in the region. During the next three centuries, millions of Africans left the coast of Senegal and surrounding West African countries on slave ships bound for the New World.

The French gained control of the region in the 17th century and ruled it until 1960, when Senegal became independent. The country still retains close ties to France.

Senegal and its neighbor The Gambia merged administratively into a confederation called Senegambia in 1982 (to combine their military and security forces). However, the confederation ended in 1989 at Senegal's request.

Senegal has been politically stable since independence and is one of the few West African countries to see a peaceful transfer of power. (The local opposition party won control of the government in 2000 after 40 years of dominance by the Socialist Party.)

A lingering challenge to the nation has been the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance, which is seeking independence for the enclave of Senegalese territory that lies to the south of The Gambia. As a result of rebel attacks, the government imposed strict military rule in that region for several decades. Many people have died in disturbances, and others have fled to other regions of Senegal, as well as to neighboring Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia, where they have not always been welcome.

However, as a result of a 2004 peace accord, fighting has come to a standstill and most military has withdrawn from the area.

Snapshot

The top attractions in Senegal are West African culture, bird reserves, beaches, music, historical sites, traditional villages, good food and friendly people.

Senegal will appeal to bird-watchers and adventurous travelers interested in West African culture. Although you'll find a French ambience in Senegal, don't expect first-class accommodations outside of the major cities. And this is not a destination for budget travelers.

Potpourri

Ethnically, the country is divided into three major groups. The Wolof account for about 45% of the population, the Fulani 25% and the Serer 15%. An important minority group, accounting for about 5% of the population, is the Diola (Jola) of the south.

Prehistoric stone circles can be found in The Gambia and surrounding areas of Senegal. Although the exact significance of the rock formations is not clear, they obvioulsy served as burial markers and their mystic symbolism is evident. The two most important circle clusters within Senegal, Sine Ngayene and Wanar, were inscribed as part of the Stone Circles of Senegambia UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006, together with two similar sites in The Gambia.

Those trendy soda-can-covered briefcases you see Senegalese men toting are known as cot-cots. The briefcases, made from scrap metal and soda cans, are named for former minister Jean-Pierre Cot, who carried one to work with him.

The Senegal River flows into the most northerly estuary along Africa's Atlantic coastline, and it was reached by several Mediterranean navigators in ancient times. The river is mentioned under the name Bambotus in the writings of Pliny the Elder and was also visited by Hanno the Navigator in the fifth century BC.

Fishing is a traditional occupation in Senegal. However, in the past several years, the government has signed agreements that allow commercial fishing boats from Europe to fish its coastal waters, where many local fishermen have drawn their catch for generations. Although these contracts generate substantial income for the government (as much as 70% of its annual revenues, by some estimates), they're also forcing local fishermen farther out to sea to maintain their livelihoods.

Senegal is known throughout Africa for producing noted novelists and film directors. Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene is one of the most respected and famous on the continent. His classic films include Ceddo, Xala and Guelwaar. Senegal has also produced a number of talented musicians who have attained international popularity. Performers Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal have large followings.

During the 1930s, the coastal town of Saint Louis served as a major refueling stop for airplanes flying between Europe and South America. Senegal is exactly halfway between Paris and Rio.

The Dakar Rally, an event synonymous with excitement and danger, is an automobile race that begins every New Year's Eve in a different European city. It typically runs through four African countries before finishing at Lac Rose (the Pink Lake) near Dakar about 17 days and 6,370 mi/10,250 km later. Typically, only half of the original vehicles make it across the finish line.

The University of Dakar is a major center of African learning. It hosts French-speaking students from all over the continent and participates in many faculty-exchange programs with universities in France and the U.S.

One-tenth of the population is employed working for peanuts (literally), the primary agricultural product of Senegal.

Anything goes in traditional Senegalese wrestling—kicking, punching and even biting. Look for it Sunday afternoons in Dakar's main stadium.

The tragic sinking of the passenger ferry MV Le Joola in September 2002 was the second worst nonmilitary maritime disaster in global history—the estimated death toll of 1,860 exceeded the 1,503 victims of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.