Dakar
Capital, chief port (with artificial harbour), and administrative centre of Senegal; population (2007 est) 2,243,400. It is situated at the tip of the Cape Verde peninsula, the westernmost point of Africa. It is a major industrial centre, with industries including mineral-oil and groundnut-oil refining, engineering, vehicle assembly, chemicals, brewing, and tobacco- and food-processing. Dakar contains the Grand Mosque, National Museum, and a university (established in 1949).
History
The Dakar area was first settled by European merchants in the 15th century. The offshore island of Gorrée, partially enclosing the harbour of Dakar, was an important Dutch trading post in the 17th century. After many changes of control the island reverted to the French in 1817; it was formerly the seat of government of
French West Africa. Dakar was first occupied permanently in 1857, and developed with the construction of the railway to Saint-Louis in 1885; it was further linked by rail to Bamako (Mali) on the River Niger in 1923. Dakar became a French naval base in the early 1900s. In July 1940 an unsuccessful naval action was undertaken by British and Free French forces to seize Dakar as an Allied base, following the French government's armistice with the Axis powers. It was occupied by US forces from 1942 to the end of the war.
Economy Dakar's fine harbour and communications system make it a major commercial centre, handling virtually all the overseas trade of Senegal. Its location (being about equidistant between Europe and South America) gives it considerable strategic importance. After World War II Dakar became an industrial centre noted especially for its groundnut oil refineries. |
| Dakar contains the Grand Mosque, National Museum, and a university (established in 1949). The city is served by Yoff international airport which is much visited by aircraft flying between Europe and South America. |
