Senegal explained to kids

Senegal is a country located in West Africa. Senegal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea-Bissau and Guinea to the south. Senegal also has a small border with The Gambia, a country located inside Senegal. The capital city of Senegal is Dakar. Senegal covers an area of 197,000 square kilometers (76,000 square miles). As of 2019, the population of Senegal was estimated to be 16.6 million. Most people in Senegal are black Africans. The official language of Senegal is French. The currency of Senegal is the West African CFA franc. The first humans in Senegal were hunter-gatherers who lived in the area about 10,000 years ago. The first kingdoms in Senegal were founded by the Mande and Wolof peoples in the 11th and 12th centuries. In the 15th century, the Portuguese arrived in Senegal and built forts along the coast. In the late 18th century, the area was invaded by the French. Senegal became a French colony in the 19th century. In 1960, Senegal gained independence from France. Since independence, Senegal has been a democratic country. The economy of Senegal is mostly based on agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Senegal is a poor country, with a per capita income of only $1,870 in 2019. Senegal is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.