COUNTRY OF THE WEEK: Senegal

The West African country won the random selection. Wikipedia discusses Senegal's history: "Archaeological findings throughout the area indicate that Senegal was inhabited in prehistoric times. Eastern Senegal was once part of the Empire of Ghana. It was founded by the Tukulor in the middle valley of the Senegal River. Islam, the dominant religion in Senegal, first came to the region in the 11th century. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the influence of the Mandingo empires to the east; the Jolof Empire of Senegal also was founded during this time. Various European powers—Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain—competed for trade in the area from the 15th century onward, until in 1677, France ended up in possession of what had become an important slave trade departure point—the infamous island of Gorée next to modern Dakar. Millions of West African people were shipped from here. It was only in the 1850s that the French began to expand their foothold onto the Senegalese mainland, at the expense of native kingdoms such as Waalo, Cayor, Baol, and Jolof. In January 1959 Senegal and the French Sudan merged to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent on June 20, 1960, as a result of the independence and the transfer of power agreement signed with France on April 4, 1960. Due to internal political difficulties, the Federation broke up on August 20. Senegal and [French] Sudan (renamed the Republic of Mali) proclaimed independence."

There are 11.7 million people in Senegal, more than 70% of whom live in rural area. Senegal is one of Africa's most stable democracies and has a long tradition of international peacekeeping. Senegal has many ethnic groups, but the Wolof are in the plural majority (43%). There are also smal numbers of Europeans (mostly French), Vietnamese, and Lebanese in Senegal. The country's per capita income is US$1,749. Its Human Development Index is .499, which is low by international standards. French is the official language, although Wolof - a language of trade spoken by 94% of the population - is a recognized regional language.

Famous Senegalese include singer and musician Youssou N'Dour, the late Léopold Senghor (poet who became Senegal's first president), the late filmmaker Ousmane Sembène, the late historian Cheikh Anta Diop, singer Baaba Maal, and sprinter Amy Mback Thiam (2001 world champion in the 400-meter dash). A famous person of Senegalese descent is Akon (nee Aliuane Badara Thiam, and was born in the United States of America).