Senegal flag
West Africa · Africa

Senegal

Sénégal
Capital
Dakar
Population
17.7M
Area
196,722 km²
Language
French / Wolof

Senegal is a country in West Africa, Africa. Its capital is Dakar, with a population of approximately 17.7M and a total area of 196,722 km². The official languages are French / Wolof and the currency is the CFA Franc (XOF).

📊 Quick Facts about Senegal

👥
Population
17.7M
total residents
📐
Total Area
196,722 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
90/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$27.6B
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$1,560
per person
💱
Currency
CFA Franc (XOF)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
French / Wolof
official
🌊
Coastline
531 km
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC+0
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1960
established
🕐
Local Time in Dakar

Senegal covers an area of 196,722 km² with a population density of 90/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $27.6B ($1,560 per capita) and gained independence in 1960. It has a coastline of 531 km.

Did You Know?

Senegal's Cape Verde peninsula is the westernmost point of continental Africa, the closest point to the Americas. The country's legendary hospitality 'Teranga' is so renowned that Senegal's national football team is nicknamed 'The Lions of Teranga'.

See all 14+ facts about Senegal

✈️ Travel Information for Senegal

📅
Best Time to Visit
November–May
Tropical, dry season November–May
💸
Cost of Travel
Budget
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full Senegal travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 Senegal on the Map

🌍
📍 Dakar, Senegal
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🏆 Senegal World Rankings

1st
West Africa Democracy
One of West Africa's most stable democracies
1st
Westernmost Africa
Westernmost point of continental Africa
1st
Wrestling
Senegalese wrestling is the national sport, most popular in Africa
1st
Teranga
Famous for 'Teranga', legendary Senegalese hospitality

🏛 Must-See Places in Senegal

🗺️ Countries Bordering Senegal

Mauritania
Mauritania
Nouakchott
Mali
Mali
Bamako
Guinea
Guinea
Conakry
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
Bissau
Gambia
Gambia
Banjul

⚖️ Compare Senegal with another country

See how Senegal stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

SenegalvsMauritania
Senegal vs Mauritania
SenegalvsMali
Senegal vs Mali
SenegalvsGuinea
Senegal vs Guinea
SenegalvsGuinea-Bissau
Senegal vs Guinea-Bissau
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Senegal

What is the capital of Senegal?

The capital of Senegal is Dakar.

What continent is Senegal in?

Senegal is located in Africa, in the West Africa region.

What currency does Senegal use?

Senegal uses the CFA Franc (XOF). The international calling code is +221.

What is the GDP of Senegal?

Senegal has a GDP of $27.6B, with a GDP per capita of $1,560.

🌍 Explore More Countries in West Africa

Ghana
Ghana
Accra
Nigeria
Nigeria
Abuja
Benin
Benin
Porto-Novo
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou

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