Part 655

Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location in the Futa Jaldon foothills 581 m

Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 31% other: 12%

Irrigated land: 1,800 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping

Geographic note: The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal

People ------

Population: 9,092,749 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,188,338; female 2,197,015) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,111,330; female 2,336,987) 65 years and over: 3% (male 128,939; female 130,140) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.37% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 45.46 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 11.76 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 64 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.49 years male: 53.75 years female: 59.3 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese

Ethnic divisions: Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2%

Religions: Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic)

Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 33.1% male: 43% female: 23.2%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal

Data code: SG

Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule

Capital: Dakar

Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor