Government: Democracy
Population: 12,072,000; 43% are under 15 years of age
(Unicef, Senegal Statistics 2006)
Size: 196,190 sq. km.; 75,749 sq. mi.
Capital: Dakar
Official Language: French
National Languages: Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Soninke, Mandinka
Climate: Tropical climate. Rainy season: from June to October, average temperature is 30°C (86°F). Dry season: from November to May, average temperature 26°C (78.8°F)
Religion: Muslim: 94%, Christian 5%, Other 1%
Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore
Agriculture products: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, cattle, pigs, goats
Currency: CFA Franc (Communauté Financière Africaine) used in 12 former French Colonies
1 dollar = 457 cfa
1 euro = 656 cfa
Average Income: $ 740 (World Bank 2008); unemployment: 48%
Life Expectancy: 63 years
Literacy Rate: total: 39.3%
Female 29.2%
Male 51%