Dakar
Travel Guide > Africa > Senegal > Dakar
Introduction
Dakar is the capital and largest city in Senegal with about 1 million people living in the city itself and over 2,5 million in the metropolitan area. It is one of the biggest cities in West Africa and the cultural, economical and industrial heart of the country. It is located at the most western tip of the country at the Cape Verder Peninsula along the Atlantic coastline. Although Dakar itself is not without its own attraction, it mostly is a very chaotic and busy place. The hustle and bustle is one of its attractions, and just off the coast is Gorée Island where many slaves were transported to the New World.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Île de Gorée
Gorée is an island, and the smallest district, in the city of Dakar. This island has a very large fort on it that was important to trade, although not the slave trade. The island was originally settled in the 15th century because the Europeans needed a place they could defend. With the lack of a natural water source no natives lived on the island, therefore the island made a prefect place to build a fort. The island is home to the House of Slaves (Maison des esclaves), which is one of the oldest houses on the island and also a good museum that shows the horrors of the slave trade.
Dakar Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque of Dakar is one of the most important religious buildings in Dakar. Designed by French and Moroccan architects, this mosque has inspired many followers of Islam. It was originally opened in 1964 and its square minaret rises to 67 meters. Institut islamique de Dakar is located next door to the mosque and has been a major centre for Islamic research and teaching since 1974. A new library was opened in 2004.
Other Sights and Activities
- Markets - Explore the street life of Dakar by visiting many of its wonderful and crazy markets.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Dakar has a hot and humid climate with temperatures usually around 30 degrees Celcius but with a slightly cooler period from November to May when it is also dry and sunny on most days. From June to October is the rainy season with a peak in August and September.
Getting There
By Plane
Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport (DKR) receives all international flights, among which those with Air Senegal International, the national airline of the country. International flights include Abidjan, Bamako, Banjul, Bissau, Casablanca, Conakry, Cotonou, Lomé, Lyon, Marseille, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, Paris and Praia in Cape Verde. About 20 other airlines have flights to and from Dakar as well, including South African Airways (Johannesburg), Brussels Airlines (Brussels), Air France to Paris and airlines like those from Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Others are mainly within the West African region.
Train
Theoretically, a weekly train travels between the capitals Dakar and Mali. The train is supposed to leave Dakar on Saturdays around 10am, arriving in Bamako just under 48 hours later. Because of works on the railway, the train now (since 2008) leaves every 8 or 9 days and there is no fixed schedule at the moment, so ask around in Dakar when the next train is supposed to leave.
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
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This is version 5. Last edited at 3:51 on Jun 9, 08 by Lavafalls (+1194). 6 articles link to this page.
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