Dakar (Senegal)

Dakar is a major seaport and the capital city of Senegal (western Africa). The country was a French overseas territory until 1960. Dakar port is on the Cape Verde Peninsula (Africa's westernmost point).

The city architecture features contemporary skyscrapers mixed with colonial-era buildings, museums, art galleries, lively street markets. French is the common language, though with many tribal dialects much in evidence. The city has urban population around 1,47 million (metropolitan around 2,5 million) and covers a total area of 83 km2 (32 ml2).

Goree Island was the main assembly point for slave shipments to the Americas. This destination is a ferry ride away (approx 3-hour travel) from the port and features a fascinating museum (Maison des Esclaves) and grandeur colonial mansions. The House of Slaves (one of the oldest on the island) was built by the Metis family in the late 18th century. It is now functioning as a museum and a tourist destination showing the slave trade's horrors. Within easy reach are also several beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. Nearby N'Gor offers good snorkelling.

Dakar was founded in 1857 by the French, and gained importance from the completion in 1885 of a railway linking it with the city of Saint Louis. In 1902 it replaced Saint Louis as the French West Africa' capital.

Dakar cruise terminal