Senegal

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 * Country Research by Calvin **

Directions:
 * 1) 1. Save a copy of this for your reference.
 * 2) 2. Re-title the Word document with each country’s name and Save as such. Example: Save as: Morocco.doc
 * 3) 3. Fill in the information as requested, and interpret it.
 * 4) 4. When completed, attach to the wiki space page with the name of your country.


 * Country Name
 * Senegal ** || Information and Data || Interpretation ||
 * Location, Territory and Neighbours || Africa, 196,722 km sqr., Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, France – high influence country || Relatively small country, close to the size of South Dakota. It use to be a French colony, therefore much of the French influence is still present, as seen in the language. Borders the ocean, 531 km of coastline. Fishing industries. ||
 * Political environment Format of government || Republic typed government, constitution adopted 1963, revised 1991. Legal system: based on the Napoleonic Code and the 1963 constitution. National Assemble (120 seats); Senate (48 seats). In February of this year, there were social unrest opposing president Abdoulaye Wade, who is now in his third term, which is illegal in the justice system. || There has long to be a struggle for democracy, and after 40 years of socialist rule, Pres. Wade was supposed to be the hope for the people. However, his optimism soon turned into fear, as most of his democratic institutions were weakened. ||
 * Economic situation || GDP Per capita $2000 (Ranked 192nd)

54% under the poverty line GDP by sector: Agriculture 15.4% Industry 22.6% Services 61.9% Military Expenditures: 1.4% of GDP Labour force of 5.687 million, 77.5% in agriculture Exports: Groundnuts (peanuts), fish, petroleum products, prosphates, cotton Infant Mortality: 55.16 (Ranked 36th) Literacy Rate: 39.3%

Economy relies quite heavily on agriculture, especially peanut production, as well as a well established fishing business. Based on the developmental indicators, I would say that Senegal is a LEDC, and is still currently developing. || This means the most people are very poor and living in rural areas, majority of the population is illiterate as well. Some people still do not have access to improved water sources. This would mean the Senegal would typically be a country receiving aid, over 1 billion US dollars of aid has been received by Senegal. Senegal would most likely ally with countries in similar statuses, or ally with countries that may supply them with the goods that Senegal needs. || Fish, prosphates, and iron ore.
 * Natural resources, main trading partners, economic interests || Natural resources:

Main trading partners: France, India, Italy, and Spain. || Senegal’s lack of simple consumer goods as well as machinery makes it good friends with India, France and Italy, as Senegal relies on those countries to provide them with the sufficient tools for agriculture and other aspects. ||
 * Social composition || What are the age demographics? Is there public health care? Public education? Be careful is this free K-12? What percentage votes? Are people free to travel? What is the GDP/person? What religion are practiced? There is an endless array of date you could place here.

Age demographics 0-14 years - 43% 15-64 years – 54.1% 65 and over – 2.9%

Religions: Muslim 94% Christian 4% Indigenous Beliefs 1%

School life expectancy: 8 years Education is compulsory from ages 7-13, but due to lack of facilities, only 62% of primary school ages children were enrolled in school in 1999. However, improvements have been made and institutions established to improve education. Including opening of universities. || Senegal is currently in stage one of the population pyramid, where majority of the population in the working class age. This type of population pyramid is common in almost all LEDCs. Senegal also has a relatively large young dependent population, which means that the middle age population will grow in the future. The main religion of Senegal is Muslim, which makes up 94% of the population. This means that their thoughts, beliefs, and values may vary with other countries of the world. || Founder of NEPAD (New Partnership of Africa’s Development) || Somewhat a leader in the region it is in, allying with fellow developing countries, founding the NEPAD, as well as participating in peace keeping activities around Africa, more recently in Cote D’Ivore. It’s involvement in G-77 shows that Senegal is willing to help and participate in the resolvements of global issues. || Life there moves at a slower pace. || People live a more simple lifestyle, and does not really rely on technology or any luxuries we are use to. ||
 * Recent history or history that defines current opinion and culture || Senegal was once a French colony, and much of the political system remained and built the political system Senegal adopts today. In recent news, current Pres. Wade is entering his 3rd term, which is illegal in the judicial system, and is met by much resistance.. || This means that the culture and language must be influenced by French, especially the language, as French is the national language. The Judicial system has also been impacted by French as well. In terms of people, I can believe that much of the food and culture, such as clothing, were influenced by the French. ||
 * Recent conflicts or unresolved border disputes. Any other disputes? || In 1989, nationwide emergency was established and a curfew was set in Dakar as rioter killed dozens of Mauritanians. Protesters were enraged by the hundreds of Senegalese that were killed in Mauritania. Relations with Mauritania completely collapsed as armed conflicts began around the border region and initial expulsion of Mauritanians who resided in Senegal. In 1992, the democratic relations were reestablished and the northern borderline were reopened. In more recent time, social unrest was reported as people protested against Pres. Wade, who is now entering his third term. || Senegal does not have many enemies in the global scale, and is currently at peace with it’s neighboring countries. Tensions may still arise with Mauritania as there was a history of conflict before. However, most of the conflicts lie internally, as the government can be quite unstable at it’s current state. ||
 * Membership of various organizations || UN membership, ECOWAS, ADB, G-77, AU, and WTO
 * Treaties and Agreements || African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, Geneva Protocol, Genocide Convention, 1st, 2nd and 4th Geneva Convention, UN Charter. || These treaties are signed by most of the developed and strong nations of the world, which makes Senegal quite neutral in terms of global conflict and views. However, the religion of Senegal might prevent or induce some protests if Senegal signs treaties that go against the morals of the religion. ||
 * Any interesting or fun facts about the country or culture || Taxi’s are really cheap.