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)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 10 Tamxarit (Islamic New Year)

March 20 Prophet's Birthday

March 24 Easter Monday

April 4 Independence Day (parades and canoe races)

May 1 Labour Day (parades)

May 1 Ascension

May 11 Whit Sunday (Pentecost)

May 12 Whit Monday

August 15 Assumption Day

October 1 Korité (Eid Al Fitr)

November 2 All Souls' Day

December 8 Tabaski (Eid Al Adha)

December 25 Christmas Day

Weekend Saturday, Sunday