The Republic of Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau, but  surrounds The Gambia. 

Senegal was part of the Ghana Empire in the 8th century and the Djolof kingdom, in the area between the Senegal River and modern-day Dakar, during the 13th and 14th centuries. In the early 16th century, Portuguese traders made contact with coastal kingdoms, and became the first in a long line of ‘interested’ foreigners: the British, French and Dutch soon followed, jostling for control of strategic points where slaves bound for the Americas could be collected.

Places to visit  besides the beautiful sandy beaches are Fathala Game Reserve, the African Renaissance Monument, Gorreh Island and Southern Senegal, just to name a few.