OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Senegal
Geography
Area: 196,840 sq. km. (76,000 sq. mi.), about the size of South Dakota.
Cities: Capital--Dakar. Other cities--Diourbel, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Rufisque, Saint-Louis, Thies, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor, Fatick, Matam, Kedougou, Sedhiou.
Terrain: Flat or rising to foothills.
Climate: Tropical/Sahelian--desert or grasslands in the north, heavier vegetation in the south and southeast.
People 
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Senegalese (sing. and pl.).
Population (2008 est.): 12,853,259.
Annual growth rate: 2%.
Ethnic groups: Wolof 43%; Fulani (Peulh) and Toucouleur 23%; Serer 15%; Diola, Mandingo, and others 19%.
Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, traditional 1%.
Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola, Mandingo, Soninke.
Education: Attendance--primary 75.8%, middle school 26.5%, secondary 11% (estimated). Literacy--59.1%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--60.15/1,000. Life expectancy--56.69 yrs.
Work force (4.0 million): Agriculture--70% (subsistence or cash crops). Wage earners (350,000): private sector 61%, government and par apublic 39%.
Economy
GDP (2008): $13.9 billion.
Real annual growth rate: 4.6% (2007 estimate).
Per capita GDP (2008): $1,800 (purchasing power parity).
Natural resources: Fish, peanuts, phosphate, iron ore, gold, titanium, oil and gas, cotton.
Economic aid received: U.S. provided $55.9 million in development assistance to Senegal in fiscal year 2008, including $29.2 million for Child Survival and Health, $22.1 million for Development Assistance, over $1 million for International Military Education and Training (IMET), and $3.4 million in Food Aid.
Language
French is the official language, but really only used regularly by a minority of Senegalese who were educated in colonial-style schools of French origin. Most people speak their own ethnic language. Three-quarters of the population speak the Wolof language, thereby making it the lingua franca of the country. There are actually five other major languages: Serer, Alpuular, Mandingo, Diola, and Bassari. Senegalese languages are primarily oral rather than written, although younger Senegalese can often write in their native language using a modified form of the Latin alphabet. However, Muslims may use the Arabic alphabet to write in their native language.
Senegalese Society & Culture
Tribal and Ethnic Diversity
Although there are over ten ethnic groups in Senegal, five are predominant. The largest group is the Wolof who cluster in the northwest and centre of the country. The Hal Pularen group reside along the middle valley of the Senegal River, the upper valley of the Casamance River, and in the centre. The Joola live mainly in the lower Casamance valley. The Manding live in the middle Casamance valley. There is a small Lebanese minority who are generally merchants.
The vast majority of the population is Muslim, with small minorities following animist beliefs or Roman Catholicism or other Christian faiths. Many combine a formal religion with animist beliefs, practices, and ceremonies.
Religion
Religion plays a
pivotal role in the Senegalese culture. Most people are religious in their own way and can sometimes be suspicious of people who do
not practice any religion.
Freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution. Senegal is therefore open to various religions and the various religious groups coexist in relative harmony. Although the majority of the population are Muslims, they often incorporate animist beliefs and practices into their religious practices as do the Christian minorities. Interfaith marriage is common as is the practice of having different members of the family following different faiths.
The Role of Meeting and Greeting
Greetings are crucial in Senegal and their important should never be underestimated. Exchanging greetings each time you meet someone, even if it is later in the same day, is pivotal to maintaining good relationships. You are expected to exchange lengthy inquiries into the health and well being of the other person and their family before asking any other question or beginning a discussion. If you ask to speak to someone without going through the ritualized greeting process, you may be told “They went to learn how to greet”, which is basically a polite way of pointing out that you were rude.
To the Western mind the amount of time spent in greetings may appear unnecessary or even wasteful (especially in business) they are used by the Senegalese to feel one with each other and achieve a sense of group harmony.
Business MeetingsBusiness meetings ar
e generally formal, especially at the outset as the relationship building process has yet to commence. As the Senegalese grow to trust and respect you, they will naturally become less formal. It is a good idea to follow their lead and maintain a polite and reserved demeanour at all times.
Agendas should be broad and flexible. If used, they are viewed as a broad outline of what is to be discussed. Business conversations generally weave their way through all the topics eventually.
The Senegalese are non-confrontational. They will avoid discussing unpleasant topics for as long as possible. They may agree to deadlines and timetables that they know are unrealistic in order to close the deal. Be cautious when something sounds too good to be true – it probably is.
Source: Bureau of African Affairs AND www.kwintessential.co.uk
