Senegal is a former French occupied nation on the west coast of the African continent. It shares its borders with The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Mauritania.

Some quick facts about Senegal include:

• Senegal won its independence from France in 1960. French is still the official language.
• The capital of Senegal is Dakar.
• The country has a population of slightly less than 13 million people.
• More than 90% of the people in Senegal are of the Islamic faith.
• Baaba Maal is a world-renowned musician from Senegal. Maal records primarily in Pulaar, a language spoken by people living on Senegal River.

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Text by Rebecca Marks & Jenny M Buccos.
Image courtesy of the CIA Factbook.