196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles).

8,802,000 (1997).

43.6 per sq km.

Dakar.

1,729,800 (1992).

Senegal is bordered by Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau to the south, Mali to the east and Mauritania to the north, and encloses the confederated state of The Gambia. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most land is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, except for the Fouta Djallon foothills in the southeast and the Bambouk Mountains on the Mali border. On the coast between Dakar and St Louis is a strip of shifting dunes. South of Dakar there are shallow estuaries along the coastline, which is fringed by palm trees. In the northern part of the country, south of the Senegal Basin, lies the arid Fouta Ferlo, a hot dry Sahelian plain with little vegetation.

Republic since 1963. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Abdou Diouf since 1981. Head of State: Prime Minister Mamadou Lamine Loum since 1998.

The official language is French. There are many local languages, the principal one being Wolof. Other groups include Senegalo-Guinean, Mandé and Peulh.

90% Muslim, 5% Roman Catholic and Protestant, and a minority of traditional beliefs.

GMT.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.