Senegal
Senegal Picture Description
Map of Senegal
Population : 11,126,832 (July 2005)
Median age: 18.15 years
Fertility rate: 4.75 children/woman(04)
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
GDP per capita: PPP $1,800 (2005)
Population below poverty line: 54% (48% unemployment)
Labor force - by occupation:
      Agriculture 16.1%,
      Industry 21.4%,
      Services 62.5%
Source : CIA Factbook
The National Flag of Senegal

Independent from France in 1960, Senegal was ruled by the Socialist Party for forty years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. A southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces since 1982, but Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.

Casa Nosa

Location: Senegal
Casa Nosa was not easy to get to. We had to hire a tour guide to get us there. In the native language of Wollof he was able to negotiate a private ride to Kartong, the border town with Senegal. This is the only place I have been where a border with another country doesn't require visa/passport checks. At least this is what the Lonely Planet guide said. But on the way back the guard gave us a hard time "How do I know you aren't terrorists?" Our guide, Omar talked to the guard and allowed us to BRIBE him for 50 Dalasi! This was the first time in my life I have ever bribed anyone, let alone a government worker/official/guard.