International 
Destination : Dakar
Location
Senegal is bordered on the West by the Atlantic Ocean, on the North by Mauritania, on the East by Mali and Guinea and on the South by Guinea-Bissau.
Its area is 196,720 km² and a population estimated at 12,522,000 million (2007).
Dakar is located at the western end of Africa on the peninsula of Cape Verde. It is bounded by the Pointe des Almadies North - West and by the Cape Manuel on the South.
It is only 5 hours flight from most European capitals, and it can be reached easily from neighboring countries (Mauritania, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau).
The Climate
Senegal is located in a sub-desertic tropical area and its climate is characterized by the alternation of a dry season (November to June) and a rainy season (July to October). Thanks to its position on the edge of the Atlantic, Dakar has a mild climate with temperatures ranging between 18 ° in January to 35 ° in August. The sun throughout the year: Senegal is one of the sunniest countries in the world with over 3000 hours on average per year .
History
The city of Dakar was a former fishing village Lebou and Wolof. It was founded in 1857 to overcome the problem of overpopulation of the island of Goree, and Captain Protet transferred there the French army. It grows at the expense of St. Louis where was the French governance. Its natural harbor is its major asset.
In 1902 it became the capital of French West Africa (AOF), assuming the role of political, administrative, military, social and cultural . metropolitan Ernest Roume its first Governor-General launches major urban works including the Governor’s Palace, the General Administration or covered market Kermel. In 1910, Dakar had over 25 000 inhabitants.
It is structured like most port cities of West Africa and has an organization that reflects the colonial policy of segregation before 1945: port, colonial district in "checkerboard" (Plateau district consisting of the city center, the Place de l’Independence, the business district and the administration), indigenous quarter (now the Medina, the SICAP ...).
On April 4, 1960, it became the capital of the Republic of Senegal. It brings together since almost all economic activities, political and administrative authorities. Dakar is now a cosmopolitan city, both African and European, which concentrates 25% of the population (about 2,.5 million inhabitants) and 80% of the country’s economic activities of the country.
Heritage & culture: few places to discover
Goree Island
Located at 15 minutes by boat from Dakar, Goree Island is marked by history and drama , and exercices an undeniable charm on its visitors who will appreciate its architecture to the most diverse cultural influences.
Many museums and interesting spots are to be discovered: the House of Slaves, the Museum of Women Henriette Bathily, the Historical Museum established in the old Fort Estrées, Castel, or the Museum of the Sea.
Theodore Monod Museum of African Art and IFAN
This museum dedicated to the arts and traditions of West Africa is part of the Fundamental Institute of Black Africa (IFAN). Its collection of counts approximately 9,000 objects and offers a wide panorama of masks, statues, tools, clothing, musical instruments, furniture from the sub-region. Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized.
The Village of Arts in Dakar
Located on the airport road Leopold Sedar Senghor, the village is an arts complex dedicated to reflection and artistic creation that includes 52 workshops, an exhibition gallery and a library. It is open all year to artists from all fields of visual arts: painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, video artists whose workshops are open to visitors.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Boribana
Open since 1998 in a building with large bay windows surrounded by a garden, the Boribana museum aims to show to the public the works of contemporary painters from the American, Caribbean and African diaspora .
The door of the 3rd millennium
Also known as the Gateway of Africa, it was built in 2001 by the Senegalese architect Pierre Atépa Goudiaby on the Corniche West. It symbolizes the call of the next century.
Try also to see downtown and around: the Presidential Palace and Independence Square, the Great Mosque, the flagship of Mamelles, Almadies Point, the island of Ngor, the Lac Rose ...
Shopping
Absorb the atmosphere of Dakar by visiting its markets: the market Kermel, the heart of old Dakar, the Malian market railway station, or the craft market Soumbedioune located on the West Corniche.
Useful Information
PASSION Terrou-Bi
Magazine PASSION TERROU-BI N°7 Janvier - Février - Mars
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