Senegal is a nation in West Africa bordered by the Sahara Desert in the north and tropical West Africa in the south, respectively. Senegal is located on the continent’s coast.
In addition to French, local languages like Wolof are also widely used. 92% of people identify as Muslims, 7% as Catholic Christians, and 1% as holding to traditional African traditions.
Historic buildings in St. Louis and the Island of Goree, a former center for the trade in slaves, are a striking testament to Senegal’s colonial past. As the nation’s capital and the place where West African rhythms are most frequently heard, Dakar is the center of the nation.
Eight locations in Senegal have been classified as UNESCO world historic sites, and nature parks offer excellent vantage points for viewing animals. Here are a few of the locations.
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Senegal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
National Park of Niokolo-Koba
This park was founded in 1925 as a reserve before being designated a national park on January 1, 1954. It is a natural reserve and a World Heritage Site situated in the South-Eastern region of Senegal, bordering Guinea-Bissau.
The park was enlarged in 1969, and as a UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve, it was ultimately designated a world heritage site in 1981.
Its size is around 3525 square miles, and its elevation ranges from 52 feet to 1020 meters. More than 1500 different plant species may be found in the semi-arid Sudanese forest and woodland savannah that make up most of the park.
The park is home to several animal species, including 80 species of mammals, 60 species of fish, and 20 species of amphibians. Three hundred thirty species of birds have been seen, so they are not forgotten.
The Goree Island
It is situated off the coast of Senegal, directly across from Dakar. It is a small, hospitable island with the fewest inhabitants (1680), covering an area of 0.2 square miles.
It is one of the most excellent Centers that engaged in the slave traffic on the coast of Africa from the 15th to the 19th century and is situated 1.2 miles from Dakar’s main harbor.
The island was first declared as a national heritage site in 1975, a historic site in 1944, and ultimately a national world heritage site in 1978. It was successively governed by the Portuguese, Dutch-English, and French.
With the combination of drab slave barracks and opulent slave traffickers’ homes, it is a popular tourist destination for anyone with an interest in the history of the Atlantic slave trade.
Saint Louis Island
The capital of the Saint Louis area of the nation is Saint Louis, also known as Ndar in the Wolof language of origin. It is an island with a population of 176,000 that is about 199 miles north of Dakar.
From 1673 to 1902, before Dakar became the capital of the French territory of Senegal, it served as a French colonial outpost.
The island’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and because of its unique beauty, various tourist attractions, international music festivals, and cultural events draw many visitors each year.
Due to them, Saint Louis has since 2000 ascended to the status of global heritage and has been included in the list of world heritage sites.
Delta Saloum
A river delta in Senegal near the mouth of the Saloum River flowing into the northern section of the Atlantic Ocean is sometimes referred to as the Sine-Saloum Delta. It was established in 1976 and stretched along the coast for around 47 kilometers.
The park’s marine habitat and cultural landscape, which includes rivers that provide uncommon chances for bird observation, led to its formal designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
The park is a prized bird nesting location with 218 clam molds and artifacts that have been discovered, giving information about the history of human habitation in the region.
The World Heritage Site’s Importance
The promotion of Senegal’s tourist industry is significantly aided by the nation’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Thousands of people visit the Island of Goree to learn more about the history of the slave trade.
The sites help protect the state’s history and those of its inhabitants and their culture. Some of these locations are used for religious activities and are revered by the local populations.
Senegal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Senegal | Year of Inscription; Type |
| Bassari, Fula, and Bedik Cultural Landscapes | 2012; Cultural |
| Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary | 1981; Natural |
| Island of Gorée | 1978; Cultural |
| Island of Saint Louis | 2000; Cultural |
| Niokolo-Koba National Park | 1981; Natural Site in Danger |
| Saloum Delta | 2011; Cultural |
| Stone Circles of Senegambia | 2006; Cultural |