Changes

==Geography==

==Geography==

Senegal is bounded by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], [[Mauritania]], [[Mali]], [[Guinea]], and [[Guinea-Bissau]]. [[The Gambia]], a republic along the Gambia River with which it shares with Senegal, penetrates more than 320 kilometers (200 mi.) into Senegal. Well-defined dry and humid seasons result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's annual rainfall of about 61 centimeters (24 in.) occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average 27oC (82oF); December to February minimum temperatures are about 17oC (63oF). Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 150 centimeters (60 in.) annually in some areas.  

Senegal is bounded by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], [[Mauritania]], [[Mali]], [[Guinea]], and [[Guinea-Bissau]]. [[The Gambia]], a republic along the Gambia River with which it shares with Senegal, penetrates more than 320 kilometers (200 mi.) into Senegal. Well-defined dry and humid seasons result from northeast winter winds and southwest summer winds. Dakar's annual rainfall of about 61 centimeters (24 in.) occurs between June and October when maximum temperatures average 27oC (82oF); December to February minimum temperatures are about 17oC (63oF). Interior temperatures are higher than along the coast, and rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 150 centimeters (60 in.) annually in some areas.  

===Flora===

===Flora===

*Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, traditional 1%.

*Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, traditional 1%.

*Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola, Mandingo, Soninke.

*Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola, Mandingo, Soninke.

*Education: Attendance--primary 76%, middle school 26.5%, secondary 19.4% Literacy--39%.

*Education: Attendance—primary 76%, middle school 26.5%, secondary 19.4% Literacy—39%.

*Health: Infant mortality rate--78/1,000. Life expectancy--56 yrs.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate—78/1,000. Life expectancy—56 yrs.  

*Work force (4.0 million): Agriculture--70% (subsistence or cash crops). Wage earners (350,000): private sector 61%, government and parapublic 39%.  

*Work force (4.0 million): Agriculture—70% (subsistence or cash crops). Wage earners (350,000): private sector 61%, government and parapublic 39%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

There are numerous political parties, most of which are marginal and little more than platforms for their leaders. The principal political parties, however, constitute a true multiparty, democratic political culture, and they have contributed to one of the most successful democratic transitions in Africa, in spite of the fact that they failed to nominate a single opposition candidate for the 2007 presidential elections. Senegal has a tradition of a flourishing independent media, largely free from official or informal control, though there were some reports press restrictions prior to the February 2007 election. The country's generally tolerant culture, largely free from ethnic or religious tensions, has provided a resilient base for democratic politics though press freedom and civil liberties have experienced some decline in recent years.

There are numerous political parties, most of which are marginal and little more than platforms for their leaders. The principal political parties, however, constitute a true multiparty, democratic political culture, and they have contributed to one of the most successful democratic transitions in Africa, in spite of the fact that they failed to nominate a single opposition candidate for the 2007 presidential elections. Senegal has a tradition of a flourishing independent media, largely free from official or informal control, though there were some reports press restrictions prior to the February 2007 election. The country's generally tolerant culture, largely free from ethnic or religious tensions, has provided a resilient base for democratic politics though press freedom and civil liberties have experienced some decline in recent years.

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===

*President of the Republic--Macky Sall

*President of the Republic—Macky Sall

*President of the National Assembly--Macky Sall

*President of the National Assembly—Macky Sall

*President of the Senate--Pape Diop

*President of the Senate—Pape Diop

*President of the Constitutional Council--Mireille Ndiaye  

*President of the Constitutional Council—Mireille Ndiaye  

====Ministers====

====Ministers====

*Prime Minister--Mohamed Dionne

*Prime Minister—Mohamed Dionne

*Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs--Cheikh Tidiane Gadio

*Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs—Cheikh Tidiane Gadio

*Senior Minister of Economy and Finance--Abdoulaye Diop

*Senior Minister of Economy and Finance—Abdoulaye Diop

*Senior Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals--Cheikh Tidiane Sy

*Senior Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals—Cheikh Tidiane Sy

*Minister of Armed Forces--Becaye Diop

*Minister of Armed Forces—Becaye Diop

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Paul Badji  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Paul Badji  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Per capita GDP (2005): $709. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) $1,758 (2005).

*Per capita GDP (2005): $709. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) $1,758 (2005).

*Natural resources: Fish, peanuts, phosphate, iron ore, gold, titanium, oil and gas, cotton.  

*Natural resources: Fish, peanuts, phosphate, iron ore, gold, titanium, oil and gas, cotton.  

*Primary sector: Agriculture represents 17% of GDP. Products--peanuts, millet, sorghum, manioc, rice, cotton, vegetables and flowers, fruit.  

*Primary sector: Agriculture represents 17% of GDP. Products—peanuts, millet, sorghum, manioc, rice, cotton, vegetables and flowers, fruit.  

*Secondary sector: Industry and mining represent 19.7% of GDP. Types--fishing; agricultural product processing; light manufacturing; mining including energy, oil mining, and construction.  

*Secondary sector: Industry and mining represent 19.7% of GDP. Types—fishing; agricultural product processing; light manufacturing; mining including energy, oil mining, and construction.  

*Tertiary sector: 63.3% of GDP of which services represent 39.7% of GDP and trade 21.2% of GDP.  

*Tertiary sector: 63.3% of GDP of which services represent 39.7% of GDP and trade 21.2% of GDP.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$1.62 million (fish products, peanut products, phosphate products). Major markets--France, other *European Union, West African CFA zone. Imports--$3.028 million (food, consumer goods, petroleum, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products, computer equipment). Major suppliers--France, Nigeria, Cameroon, United States.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$1.62 million (fish products, peanut products, phosphate products). Major markets—France, other *European Union, West African CFA zone. Imports--$3.028 million (food, consumer goods, petroleum, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products, computer equipment). Major suppliers—France, Nigeria, Cameroon, United States.  

*Exchange rate: Fixed to the euro. African Financial Community (CFA) 656 CFA =1 euro.  

*Exchange rate: Fixed to the euro. African Financial Community (CFA) 656 CFA =1 euro.  

*Economic aid received (2005): $757 million from all sources, $51 million from the U.S.  

*Economic aid received (2005): $757 million from all sources, $51 million from the U.S.