Senegal

Complete Name: Republic of Senegal
Capital: Dakar
Important cities: Kolda, Touba, Kaolack, Tambacounda, Matam, Thies, Nayè, Kèdougou, Saint-Louis
Government: Presidential Republic
Political landscape: The current President is Abdoulaye Wade (elected on 25th February 2007 for a five year term). The last presidential and legislative elections were held in 2007; the next round of elections will take place in 2012.
Territorial division: divided into 14 Regions: Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor
Population: 12.323.252.
Urbanization rate: 42% of the total population in 2010, with an annual estimated growth rate in 2015 of 3.3%
Density: 52/km2
Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, Europeans and Lebanese 1%, others 9.4%
Official religion(s): Christians 5%, Muslims 94%, others 1%
Official language(s): French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinga, Serer
Surface: 196.722 km²
Ground: 192.530 km²
Bordering Countries: the country has borders in the North with Mauritania, in the East with Mali, in the South it borders with Guinea and Guinea Bissau, and in the West with Gambia and the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate: tropical, hot and humid climate; rainy season (May – November); dry season (December – April).
Public Holidays and Dates: 4th  April Independence Day, 22nd January Tabaski Feast
Passports and Visas: A Passport valid for at least 6 month from travel date is necessary. Entry Visa is not requested.
Local currency: CFA Franc
Exchange rate: 1€ = 656 CFA Francs
GDP: 22.380 million USD
GDP  growth rate: 4.2%
Inflation rate: 1.2%
Unemployment: 48%
Transport: 20 Airports (2010), Railways 906 km, Road Networks 13.576 km, Accessible Water Courses 1.000 km
Economy: Senegal is an emerging economy with a strong growth potential. Though it presents a relatively diversified economy, opportunities in several sectors remain still unexplored.
Primary sector: cashews, cotton, millet, sorghum, rice, tomatoes, vegetables; cattle, poultry, fishery
Secondary sector: extractive activities, oil, precious minerals, naval activities.
Tertiary sector: Tourism
Renewable Energies: Senegal aims at the Hydro- electric, Aeolic and Biomass sectors.
Investment incentives: APIX promotes foreign investments in the country, on the basis of tax and customs incentives (tax exemption, tax credit).