My country: Senegal

Growing up I didn't take pride of my country. I took it for granteed. After all it was everything I knew; so I got bored it. Now I miss it sooooooo much. Knowing what I know now, I am proud to be Senegalese.

You might wonder what is the picture about. Well is showing what we call Thiebou Djeun in Senegal and it is the national dish. Senegal is a country in West Africa. It is from this rich natural heritage that the country’s national symbols were chosen: the baobab tree and the lion. Senegal is home to several internationally renowned musicians and artists. Some 39 languages are spoken in Senegal, including French (the official language) and Arabic. Islam is the religion of the vast majority of the population, practiced through involvement in groups known as Muslim brotherhoods. Christianity is practiced by a growing but still very small population. Tourism, one of the country’s primary sources of foreign exchange, has made Senegal one of the most visited countries in West Africa. Gorée Island, site of a former slave warehouse, is a popular attraction, as are Senegal’s national parks.

The economy of Senegal is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fishing and agriculture, which are the main sources of employment in rural areas, despite abundant natural resources in iron, zircon, gas, gold, phosphates, and numerous oil discoveries recently. Senegal's economy gains most of its foreign exchange from fish, phosphates, groundnuts, tourism, and services. As one of the dominant parts of the economy, the agricultural sector of Senegal is highly vulnerable to environmental conditions, such as variations in rainfall and climate change, and changes in world commodity prices.