Colors and the Meaning of the Senegal Flag
The flag consists of Pan-African colors, yellow, green and red. The strips, which divide the flag vertically into three equal parts, are composed of green, yellow and red colors, respectively, starting from the raised side. There is also a green five-pointed star in the middle of the yellow stripe in the middle of the flag.
The green color of the colors in the flag symbolizes a good future and progress, as well as three major religious groups in the country, Islam, Christianity, and Animism. Yellow color refers to the richness of the valleys and the people working together. The red color on the fluctuating side of the flag represents the country’s struggle for independence, the blood, and socialism in the colonial period. The green five-pointed star is on the flag as a symbol of freedom.
History of the Senegal Flag
While the French colony Senegal was under French colonial rule, the authorities banned the colony from using its distinctive colonial flag. They were concerned that this would increase nationalist sentiments and lead to independence calls. With the rise of the colonization movement in Africa, the French were forced to give limited autonomy to Senegal as a self-governing republic among the French Colonies. Senegal was merged with French Sudan on April 4, 1959, to form the Financial Federation. On that day, a new flag with the colors green, yellow and red was accepted and the Federation won independence from France on June 20, 1960.
The federation between the two former French colonies did not last long, and the Federation broke up two months after independence. On August 20, 1960, Senegal left the federation and became an independent country. The flag of the new nation preserved its colors and lines, except that the human figure in the Federation flag was replaced with a green star.
In early 2004, Senegal’s Wade announced a new flag designed for the country. However, he stated that he had no right to make any changes in the symbols of the country without presenting it the vote of the people of Senegal, and this violated the constitution.
Neighboring Countries of Senegal
Senegal, a country located in West Africa, on the south of the Senegal River, is neighbor to the Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau countries.
Main Characteristics of Senegal
One of the most important sectors that maintain Senegal’s economy is tourism. Retba Lake, known as the pink lake, is located in Senegal. Dakar is the capital and the largest city in the country. The official language is French. Many local languages are also spoken. CFA franc is used as currency.
Tropical climate is dominant. Temperatures are high. There is no rainfall season between December and April. In this period, the air temperatures are lower than the average. They were influenced by French cuisine. The food called Ceebu Jen, which consists of fish and rice, is consumed a lot. Major cities include Mexican, Moroccan, Japanese and Lebanese restaurants.
| Country | Senegal |
| Code | SN (SEN) |
| Calling Code | 221 |
| Capital City | Dakar |
| Currency | west african cfa franc (XOF) |
| Emoji Symbol | 🇸🇳 |
| Highest Point | 581 m |
| Internet TLD | .sn |
| Population(2017) | 16,069,607 |
| Total Area | 196,722 km2 |