|a republic in West Africa, on the Atlantic: made part of French West Africa in 1895; became fully independent in 1960; joined with The Gambia to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982--89); mostly low-lying, with semidesert in the north and tropical forest in the southwest Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Dakar. Pop: 10 339 000 (2004 est). Area: 197 160 sq km (76 124 sq miles)|
Note: Senegal was a French colony from 1895 to 1958. It became fully independent in 1960.