Senegal (), officially the Republic of Senegal (République du Sénégal, ), is a country in West Africa. It is the westernmost country in the mainland of the Old World or Eurafrasia and owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north. Senegal covers a land area of almost , and has an estimated population of about 13 million. The climate is tropical with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Senegal’s capital is Dakar. During the 17th and 18th centuries, numerous trading posts belonging to various European colonial empires were established along the coast. Senegal became a colony of France in the 19th century. It was granted independence from France in 1960. Major industries are fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials, ship construction and repair. Peanuts, sugarcane, cotton, green beans, industrial tomato, cherry tomato, melon, and mango are important cash crops. Most Senegalese are Sunni Muslims with Sufi influences. French is the official language. Since April 2012 Senegal’s president has been Macky Sall.
