PRESENTATION IN ENGLISH

Class: 6ème

Teacher : Mr CISSE

THEME : MY COUNTRY
PLAN
Introduction

I) Some facts about to leave

II) Population

III) Climate

IV) History

V) Economy

VI) Religions

VII) Culture

Conclusion

Exposants
Ibrahima THIAM
Awa TOUNKARA
Aïcha SOW
Absa SOW
Ababacar THIOUNE
Introduction
Senegal is a country in western Africa. Located at the westernmost point of the continent
and served by multiple air and maritime travel routes, Senegal is known as the “Gateway
to Africa.” The country lies at an ecological boundary where semiarid grassland,
oceanfront, and tropical rainforest converge; this diverse environment has endowed
Senegal with a wide variety of plant and animal life. It is from this rich natural heritage
that the country’s national symbols were chosen : the baobab tree and the lion.
I) SOME FACTS ABOUT SENEGAL
Population : 17 millions inhabitants (2022)
Surface area : 196 200 km²
Capital : Dakar (5 millions inhabitants)
Currency : Franc CFA (100F = 0.5 Euros)
Main languages : French (official), Wolof (spoken by 80 % of the population), Peuhl,
Serer
II) POPULATION
Several ethnic groups live in Senegal: the Wolofs (40 %), Sérères (16 %), Peuhls (13 %, a
once nomadic people, breeders of zebus), Toucouleurs (10%), Diolas (10 %), Mandingues,
Bassaris. 55% of the population is under 20 years old. 58 % of the population of Senegal
live in rural areas. 46 % of the children don’t go to school.
III) CLIMATE
Senegal is located in an inter tropical zone with a warm and sunny climate. The dry
season lasts from October to June, and the rain season from July to September. From North
to South, the climate varies from Sahelian (up to 30 cm water per year) to Sudanese more
than 1 m water per year).
IV) HISTORY
1100-1650 : prosperous Empire of Mali.
1518 : beginning of slave trade first by the Portuguese, then by the French and the British
(1600).
1840 : invasion of Senegal by France.
1848 : complete abolition of slavery in France.
1960 : Senegal becomes independent. Leopold Sedar Sengor becomes president.
Senegal is a democratic republic. The president is elected by universal suffrage for 7 years.
V) ECONOMY
The minimum wage is officially 58,900 FCFA per month (89.79 €); it is very difficult to
live in an urban area with such a salary. It is very difficult to live in an urban area with
such a salary. Comparing with France, it would be like living in Paris with 750 € per
month. Moreover, the minimum wage is far from always being respected and many people
are not declared. The GDP is distributed as follows: 20% for the primary and secondary
sectors, 60% for the tertiary sector. Agriculture/livestock contributes 15% of GDP and
employs 75% of the active population.
Senegal's main resources (excluding international aid) are bank transfers from Senegalese
expatriates, fishing (approx. 500,000 tons), mass tourism (1,4 million in 2017), groundnuts
and phosphate. It should be noted that the money from tourism benefits only a minority of
the local population. Senegal is far from self-sufficient in food and must import two-thirds
of its annual rice consumption. The main crop is still peanuts, but with strong fluctuations
(depending on international prices), millet sometimes becomes the main production ahead
of peanuts, rice, market gardening (tomatoes), sorghum, corn, cotton, sugar cane, etc.
Senegal has about 3 million cattle and 8 million sheep and goats.
Its trade, mainly directed towards France and the European Union countries, is largely in
deficit. Senegal's debt amounts to 12,890 billion € (2020). The growth (6% in 2021)
benefits very little to the Senegalese, whose poverty is increasing.
VI) RELIGIONS
Most of the population is Islamic (90 %), others are Catholic or animist. Religion is very
important in Senegal. Some people even practise several religions simultaneously.
VII) CULTURE
The Senegalese are known for their cuisines based on rice and millet, the famous queen
cereal. These two elements are always combined with fish, mutton, beef or even a variety
of seafood reserved for special occasions. When we talk about Senegalese culture, cuisine
is part of it with Yassa chicken which is one of the Senegalese specialties. The chicken
was concocted with lime, onion and above all thiéboudienne, the national dish in Senegal.
“Diola”, another culture in Senegal
Diola is the language of the Niger-Congolese, but Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau
also speak this language. The Diolas are the first people to use Diola to communicate in all
three countries. The Diolas are made up of a few subgroups which are characterized by the
use of Diola and their history with the British, Portuguese and French colonial empires.
The music of Senegal
Music occupies an important place in the culture in Senegal as in other West African
countries. For Senegal, music is characterized by griots, stories sung with the aim of
rediscovering an oral tradition. Traditional music from Senegal most often uses gourds,
cow horns, shells or leather.
What is sport like in Senegal?
The Senegalese are renowned for being outstanding sportsmen. Even if the country lacks
infrastructure for sport, athletes use the means at hand. Speaking of means, we can
mention the two wooden stakes accompanied by the old ball to play football. Some also
opt for television sets which allow them to watch wrestling tournaments or even football
competitions.
“Wolof”, another culture in Senegal
Although French is the official language of the Senegalese, Wolof remains one of the
languages spoken in this country. Wolof is defined as the Senegambian language used by
the majority of Senegalese women, hence 45% of the population. The language allows the
inhabitants of Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal to understand each other.