FACTS

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania

Area (only Total) total: 196,190 sq km

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind

Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast

Population: 12,853,259 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): French

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Dakar

Capital (Time Difference): UTC 0

Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960)