Senegal

Cities, towns, and villages

• Dakar — is the capital and largest city of Senegal and is the economic and cultural center of Senegal. It is currently experiencing strong economic development, with high rise buildings being constructed in the more affluent parts of town (e.g. city center, Almadies, Ouakam).  Tourism, especially business tourism, is growing in importance, stimulated by international events such as the Dakar Rally  or the Contemporary Art Biennale.
• Saint-Louis — is a city and a world heritage site on the Grande Cote in Northern Senegal, at the mouth of Senegal River which serves as the border with Mauritania.
  The city of Saint-Louis is located about 260km north of Dakar on the coast and spreads across the mainland (Sor), Île de N’Dar (the Island), and the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula. The mainland is connected to the historical island which is just 2km long and 400m wide via the Pont Faidherbe Bridge, which was recently reconstructed, completed in November 2011. The Île de N’Dar is linked to the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula via the Pont Mustapha Malick Gaye Bridge, the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula is home to the beautiful beaches of the Hydrobase as well as part of the Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie. Also accessible from Saint-Louis are the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj and the Réserve Spéciale de Faune de Guembeul.
• Thiès (pronounced: "chess") (French:Thiès) — is the capital of the Thies administrative region and the third largest city in Senegal.
  It lies 72 km (45 mi) east of Dakar on the N2 road and at the junction of railway lines to Dakar, Bamako and St-Louis. It is the capital of Thiès Region and is a major industrial city. There is one daily train connecting with Diamniadio, in the eastern suburbs of Dakar, from where it's possible to continue to central Dakar with fast TER trains.
• Kaolack (Arabic: كاولاك; Wolof: Kawlax) — is on the north bank of the Saloum River about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from its mouth and the N1 road in Senegal. It is the capital of the Kaolack Region, which borders The Gambia to the south. Kaolack is an important regional market town and is Senegal's main peanut trading and processing center. As the center of the Ibrahimiyya branch of the Tijaniyyah Sufi order founded by Ibrayima Ñas, it is also a major center of Islamic education. The Leona Niassene mosque (right) in Kaolack is one of the largest and best known in Senegal.
• Ziguinchor (French: [ziɡɛ̃ʃɔʁ]; Wolof: Siggcoor [siɡˑcɔːɾ]; Arabic: زيغينكور) — is the capital of the Ziguinchor Region, and the chief town of the Casamance area of Senegal, lying at the mouth of the Casamance River. It is the eighth largest city of Senegal, but is nearly separated from the north of the country by the nation of The Gambia.
  Unlike the semi-arid to arid north of Senegal, Ziguinchor has a tropical savanna climate, as it is under the influence of the West African Monsoon. It has an average annual accumulated rainfall of approximately 1,547 millimetres or 61 inches.
• Tambacounda (Arabic: تامباكوندا) — is a city in the Tambacounda Region of southeastern Senegal. It is the main transport hub for Basse Casamance, Guinea and Mali. Tourism is not very developed, but Tambacounda is often a stopover town for travellers going to the Niokolo-Koba National Park. The city does have a few points of interest, such as the Central Market, the Quartier Dépôt or the Craft Village.
  The Tambacounda region is famous for its rich djembe and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900s, bringing with them their history, knowledge, and secrets of the djembe.
  The climate is of the Sahelian type and the heat can sometimes be overwhelming. The area has two seasons: the rainy season from June to October, characterized by heat, humidity and storms, and the sweltering, rainless dry season from November to May.
• Touba (Hassaniya Arabic: توبا, 'Felicity'; Wolof: Tuubaa) — is a city in central Senegal, part of Diourbel Region and Mbacké district. It is the second most populated Senegalese city after Dakar. It is the holy city of Mouridism and the burial place of its founder, Shaikh Ahmadou Bàmba Mbàcke. Next to his tomb stands a large mosque, completed in 1963.
• Casamance — is the region of Senegal south of The Gambia. Centered on the Casamance River, the region is soaked with mangrove forests, speckled with charming villages, and lined with the best beaches in all of Senegal.
• Kedougou (Wolof: Keédugu) — is a town in the Kédougou Region of south-eastern Senegal near the border with Mali and Guinea. Which boasts a lush of hills, plenty of rain and rugged beauty that is distinct from the rest of Senegal.
  Founded by the Malinké people, Kédougou means the "Land of Man". The town lies on the N7 road and the River Gambia amid the Pays Bassari hills and Fouta Djallon foothills. Local attractions include the Dindefelo Falls and Niokolo-Koba National Park. The main sources of income in the town are agriculture, small-scale commerce, construction, and gold mining. There is a military camp, a hospital, a community radio station and library, a Peace Corps Office and a number of small businesses. The most commonly spoken languages are Pulaar, Bassari, Bedik, Diakhanké, Malinké and French.