Geographical Influences
Senegal lies on the westernmost point of Africa and poignantly, was
the last glimpse many Africans had of their continent as they were
shipped to the USA for the slave trade. Senegal is a small country of
approximatively 76,120 sq. miles and almost completely surrounds The
Gambia. It is bordered on the north by Mauritania, on the east by Mali,
on the south by Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, and on the west by the
Atlantic Ocean.
Senegal is mainly flat, covered by a sandy soil, with a small mountain range extending to 700 feet in the south east. Three large rivers run almost parallel from southeast to West: Senegal (1000 miles long), Gambia (600 miles), and Casamance. The main agricultural cultivation is peanuts, millet, and sorghum. Senegal has an important livestock sector and a significant national park, Niokolo Koba, one of the most important reserves for large mammals in West Africa.
The climate is tropical, with a three to five month rainy season and long, dry season. The south is drier than the north. In recent years, Senegal has been instrumental in planting the ‘Great Green Wall’, a project proposed by the African Union in 2007 to reforest the southern Sahara and create fertile land for cultivation. Some four million hectares has been planted but experts are questioning the viability of the project.
One tree native to Senegal is the baobab, which is sacred to the Wolof and the Serer. It offers edible pulp and can be used in medicine, rope, soap and fertilizer, while the wood makes sturdy canoes. Along with the tamarind tree, it was also the favorite spot for the genies and the spirits.
Senegal is mainly flat, covered by a sandy soil, with a small mountain range extending to 700 feet in the south east. Three large rivers run almost parallel from southeast to West: Senegal (1000 miles long), Gambia (600 miles), and Casamance. The main agricultural cultivation is peanuts, millet, and sorghum. Senegal has an important livestock sector and a significant national park, Niokolo Koba, one of the most important reserves for large mammals in West Africa.
The climate is tropical, with a three to five month rainy season and long, dry season. The south is drier than the north. In recent years, Senegal has been instrumental in planting the ‘Great Green Wall’, a project proposed by the African Union in 2007 to reforest the southern Sahara and create fertile land for cultivation. Some four million hectares has been planted but experts are questioning the viability of the project.
One tree native to Senegal is the baobab, which is sacred to the Wolof and the Serer. It offers edible pulp and can be used in medicine, rope, soap and fertilizer, while the wood makes sturdy canoes. Along with the tamarind tree, it was also the favorite spot for the genies and the spirits.
Comments
Post a Comment