Senegal

Introduction

Senegal is situated on the western bulge of Africa and has borders with Mauritania to the north and northeast, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea Bissau to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It surrounds Gambia on three sides.

The northern part of the Senegal coast is made up of dunes and to the south are muddy estuaries. Behind the coast is a sandy plain, which extends north to the floodplain of the Senegal River. The Casamance Region in the south, isolated from the rest of Senegal by the Gambia, is low but more varied in relief, while to the southeast lie the Futa Jallon foothills, which rise to a maximum altitude of just above 1,600 ft. Much of the northwest of Senegal is semi-desert, but the center and most of the south, except for the forest of Casamance, are open savannah country. The major rivers - the Senegal, Saloum, Gambia and Casamance - flow from east to west.

Read our featured article from Travel Africa Magazine
Senegal - The Wild West
Senegal is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Africa and yet remains relatively little known. A stable democracy, friendly people, bearable climate and an efficient communication system combine to make this one of the most accessible of African nations. Michael Hogan summarises the country’s attractions.

Africa Guide's recommended book
		Lonely Planet the Gambia & Senegal   (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - UK by David Else Highly recommended! We just returned from our fourth trip to Senegal, and we found the Lonely Planet guidebook to be highly accurate and easily usable. It is well written and includes much helpful cultural information in addition to all the necessary facts. Don't leave for Senegal without it!!!! (Reviewer: Sher Schwartz from Alaska USA)

The Africa Guide's recommended Map
		Senegal Map  (Maps Worldwide) Published by Institut Geographique National (IGN) Subtitle General road and relief map with town plans A general map of Senegal.