Terrain
Generally low, rolling plains rising to foothills in southeast
Sahel Region: Terrain/Geography (1:10)
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
People
Nationality: Senegalese (singular and plural)
Population: 13,635,927 (July 2014 est.)
Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Religions
Muslim 94% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Economy
Senegal’s economy is driven by agriculture and that sector is the primary source of employment for the rural areas. The country's key export industries are phosphate mining, fertilizer production, and commercial fishing. The country is also working on iron ore and oil exploration projects. Senegal relies heavily on donor assistance and foreign direct investment.
Living Conditions
While Senegalese would be considered poor in comparison to people in industrialized countries, they have a relatively comfortable standard of living for an African people. One indication of this is Senegal's gross domestic product per person of $1,600. This far surpasses that of neighboring Guinea ($600). In the south, houses are made of mud brick and thatch roofs. In the north, walls are made of millet stalks or reeds, and roofs are typically corrugated tin.
Government
Republic
US Military Presence/Support