Dakar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dakar
Capital city
Place de l'Indépendance Maison des Esclaves in Gorée Mosque of Divinity Soumbedioune boats of Médina Ngor beach Aerial view of Dakar African Renaissance Monument Views of Dakar, Senegal
Flag Coat of arms
City of Dakar, divided into 19 communes d'arrondissement
Dakar Location in Senegal Show map of Senegal Dakar Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	Senegal
Région	Dakar
Département	Dakar
Settled	15th century
Communes d'arrondissement	19 Cambérène Parcelles Assaines Pattie d'Oies Hann Bel-Air Dieuppeul Derklé HLM Biscuiterie Grand Dakar Plateau Médina Fass-Gueule Tapée-Colobane Fann Point-E Mermoz-Sacré-Coeur Ouakam Yoff Ngor Liberté Grand-Yoff Cape Verde Peninsula
Area
• Capital city	79.83 km2 (30.82 sq mi)
• Metro	535 km2 (207 sq mi)
Elevation	22 m (72 ft)
Population  (2023 Census)
• Capital city	1,278,469
• Density	16,014.9/km2 (41,478.4/sq mi)
• Metro	4,004,427
• Metro density	7,485/km2 (19,390/sq mi)
	Data here is for the administrative Dakar région, which closely aligns with the limits of the Dakar metropolitan area
Time zone	UTC±00:00 (GMT)

Dakar (also known as Ndakaaru in the Wolof language) is the exciting capital and largest city of Senegal. It's home to about 1.2 million people, and the wider Dakar area has around 4 million residents as of 2023.

This vibrant city sits on the Cap-Vert peninsula, which is the westernmost point of mainland Africa. Long ago, in the 15th century, Portuguese explorers arrived here. Later, the French took control of the area. Dakar grew into an important port and a major city during the time when France ruled many parts of West Africa. In 1902, it became the capital of French West Africa. After a brief period as the capital of the Mali Federation from 1959 to 1960, Dakar became the capital of independent Senegal in 1960. The city proudly hosted the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics, a first for Africa!

Discovering Dakar's Past

The Cap-Vert peninsula was first settled by the Lebu people in the 15th century. Their original villages, like Ouakam and Ngor, are still distinct neighborhoods today. In 1444, Portuguese explorers reached the Bay of Dakar. They made peaceful contact in 1456.

The Portuguese later set up a base on Gorée Island. From 1536, this island became a place for the sad trade of enslaved people. The island changed hands many times between the Portuguese, Dutch, and English. Finally, France took control in 1677. The famous "House of Slaves" was built on Gorée in 1776, reminding us of this difficult history.

In 1795, the Lebu people of Cape Verde started their own state, called the "Lebou Republic" by the French. Its capital was Ndakaaru. In 1857, the French set up a military post there, which they called "Dakar." They took over the Lebu Republic, but its traditional leaders are still recognized today.

The trade in enslaved people was stopped by France in 1794, but then brought back by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It finally ended in all French territories in 1848. To replace this trade, the French encouraged growing peanuts. As peanut farming grew, the small Gorée Island was no longer big enough as a port. Traders moved to the mainland, and a new trading post was set up in Rufisque in 1840.

A public water well in Dakar, 1899

The French colonial government invested a lot in Dakar's growth. They improved the port and built a telegraph line. The Dakar-Saint-Louis railway was finished in 1885. This made Dakar an important center for expanding French influence in West Africa.

Dakar became a French commune (like a town with its own local government) in 1887. Its citizens could elect their own mayor and council. In 1902, Dakar became the capital of French West Africa, taking over from Saint-Louis. A second major railway, the Dakar-Niger railway, connected Dakar to Bamako, further strengthening its role. In 1929, Gorée Island became part of Dakar.

Dakar Entrepôt, around 1900

During colonial times, the city grew, and different neighborhoods were created for various groups of people. After a health crisis in 1914, many African residents were moved to a new area called Médina. The older "Plateau" area became mainly for administration and business. Blaise Diagne, the first African elected to the French National Assembly, supported the local Lebu people during these changes.

Harbor Dakar, 1905

Dakar was a very important city in the French Empire. Many French trading companies opened offices there. Its port and railways attracted industries like mills and breweries. It was also important for France's military, with a naval base and an early air force station.

Dakar played a part in World War II. In 1940, Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, tried to make Dakar a base for his resistance. However, the city was under the control of the Vichy government. After some fighting, known as the Battle of Dakar, the plan was changed. General de Gaulle then set up his base in Douala, Cameroon.

Mural in Dakar commemorating the Thiaroye massacre. It reads "Thiaroye '44, an unforgettable event".

In November 1944, there was a sad event at a camp near Dakar. West African soldiers in the French army protested poor conditions. On December 1, 1944, French soldiers opened fire on them. This event, known as the Thiaroye massacre, became an important moment for those who wanted Senegal to be independent.

Dakar was the capital of the short-lived Mali Federation from 1959 to 1960. Then, in 1960, it became the capital of independent Senegal. The first President of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor, dreamed of making Dakar a center of culture and learning in Africa.

Today, Dakar is a major financial hub. It hosts many banks and international organizations. The city is also home to diverse communities, including Lebanese, Moroccan, and French expatriates. France still has an air force base and uses Dakar's port for its fleet. From 1978 until 2007, Dakar was the famous finishing point of the Dakar Rally.

Dakar's Location and Climate

View of Dakar from the International Space Station in 2011

Dakar is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, right on the Atlantic Ocean coast. It's the westernmost city on the African mainland, which gives it a unique position.

Weather in Dakar

Dakar has a tropical climate that is influenced by the ocean. It has a short rainy season and a long dry season. The rainy season runs from July to October, while the dry season lasts for the other eight months. The city gets about 411 millimeters (16 inches) of rain each year.

From December to May, Dakar is usually very warm, with daytime temperatures around 25-28°C (77-82°F). Nights are warm too, around 18-20°C (64-68°F). Between May and November, the city gets hotter, with daily highs reaching 29-31°C (84-88°F) and night lows around 23-25°C (73-77°F). However, Dakar is always cooled by refreshing sea breezes, so it's not as hot as some inland cities.

How Climate Change Affects Dakar

Scientists predict that Dakar's climate will become warmer in the future. By 2050, the average temperature could increase by about 1.5°C (2.7°F). This means Dakar's weather might feel more like the current climate of Praia in Cape Verde.

Dakar is also one of many major African cities that could be greatly affected by rising sea levels. Experts estimate that coastal cities like Dakar could face significant challenges. It's important for cities to plan and adapt to these changes to protect their communities and infrastructure.

How Dakar is Governed

Market street in the working class Gueule Tapée quarter

Residential street in the upscale Mermoz quarter

The city of Dakar is a commune, which is like a local government area. It was created by the French in 1887. Dakar has been a continuous commune since then, even after Senegal became independent in 1960.

Dakar is led by a democratically elected mayor and a municipal council. They serve for five years. Since 1887, Dakar has had 20 mayors. Blaise Diagne was the first black mayor, serving from 1924 to 1934.

Dakar is also a department, which is another type of administrative area in Senegal. This is similar to how Paris is both a city and a department in France. However, departments in Senegal mainly help the central government with administrative tasks.

The Dakar department is divided into four main areas called arrondissements: Almadies, Grand Dakar, Parcelles Assainies, and Plateau/Gorée. These arrondissements help manage local services.

The Assemblée nationale on the Plateau, the heart of old Dakar

In 1996, Senegal made big changes to its local government. Dakar, with its large population, was divided into 19 smaller communes d'arrondissement. These smaller communes have a lot of power, similar to boroughs in London. The main city of Dakar still exists to coordinate these smaller communes.

Dakar Central Station

The commune d'arrondissement of Dakar-Plateau is the historic center of the city. Many government offices are located there. Médina is the most crowded commune, while Yoff is the largest. The smallest is Île de Gorée.

Dakar is also one of the 14 régions (regions) of Senegal. The Dakar region includes the city and all its surrounding suburbs. Since 1996, these regions have their own elected councils and presidents. They manage things like economic development, transportation, and environmental protection for the whole region.

Famous Places to See in Dakar

Deux Mamelles seen from afar, with the African Renaissance Monument on the left and Les Mamelles Lighthouse on the right

Dakar is part of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and has many interesting landmarks. One famous spot is Deux Mamelles, two twin hills in the Ouakam area. These hills offer amazing views of the city. On one hill, you'll find the Les Mamelles Lighthouse, built in 1864. On the other, stands the impressive African Renaissance Monument, which is the tallest statue in Africa.

The African Renaissance Monument

Another notable place is the medina quarter in the Médina commune. This area was originally built for local people during French colonial times. Today, it's a lively market filled with tailor shops. The Soumbédioune market is especially popular with tourists. The Dakar Grand Mosque, built in 1964, is also located here and is a key landmark.

Beach in Dakar

Dakar is surrounded by four small islands: Île de Yoff, Île de N'Gor, Îles de la Madeleine, and Île de Gorée. Île de N'Gor has beautiful beaches, perfect for surfing. Île de Gorée is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has old colonial buildings and the House of Slaves, a museum that teaches about the history of the Atlantic slave trade. Today, the island is also a hub for local artists.

Other important places include the Layen Mausoleum, where the founder of the Layene Sufi order is buried. The Palais Présidentiel, built in 1907, is where the government meets. Place de l'Indépendance is Dakar's central square. You can also visit the Dakar Cathedral and Cheikh Anta Diop University, a major university established in 1957.

Places of Faith in Dakar

Dakar is a city where many different faiths are practiced. The most common places of worship are Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches, including Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dakar churches, Assemblies of God, and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Dakar was chosen as the Capital of Islamic Culture for the African Region in 2007. This honored its rich Islamic history. The city is also known as the birthplace of the Layene Brotherhood, a Sufi group founded by Seydina Mouhammadou Limamou Laye in 1883. He is buried in the Layen Mausoleum, a major landmark.

Important mosques in Dakar include the Grand Mosque of Dakar, built in 1964. The Mosque of Divinity, built in 1973, is known for its unique triangular windows. The Omarienne Mosque features minarets topped with green orbs.

Dakar's Vibrant Culture

N'dawrabine dance of Ngor

In Senegal, traditional culture deeply values family. This is even seen in how people eat. When it's mealtime, someone might say "kay lekk," meaning 'come eat.' Everyone gathers around a shared plate and eats with their hands. Popular dishes include Cebbu Jën (Tiéboudienne) and Yassa.

Good manners are very important in Dakar. It's considered rude not to greet someone when you see them. Because of French colonial history, children in Dakar have a unique school system. They often get a break around midday to go home and rest. Since most of the population is Muslim, daily Islamic activities are common, like noon prayers at the mosque and attending Friday services. Music is also very influential, with artists like Daara J Family using their songs to talk about community issues.

Dakar hosts many national and international festivals. These include the World Festival of Black Arts and the Dakar Biennale, which showcases art.

Exploring Museums

IFAN Museum of African Arts.

Dakar has several interesting museums to explore:

• IFAN Museum of African Arts (also known as Musee Theodore Monod)
• Henriette-Bathily Women's Museum
• House of Slaves
• Village des Arts
• Parc Forestier et Zoologique de Hann (the Senegal Zoo)
• Museum of Black Civilisations
• Dynamic Museum

Sports and Fun in Dakar

The sports club AS Douanes is based in Sicap-Liberté. They play in the Senegal Premier League and won the 2014–15 league season.

Dakar was once the finishing point for the famous Dakar Rally until 2007. The event then moved to South America for safety reasons.

Map of Trans-African Highways

Dakar proudly hosted the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics. This was a historic event, as it was the first time an Olympic event was held in Africa!

Getting Around Dakar

Blaise Diagne International Airport

The Conseil Exécutif des Transports Urbains Durables (CETUD) was created in 1997 to help organize transportation in the Dakar region. A study in 2021 showed that traffic jams, pollution, and unsafe roads cost the country a lot of money each year.

The city is home to the Autonomous Port of Dakar, a very important port. It also has the end point of the Dakar-Niger railroad line, though this line is not currently in use.

Place de l'Indépendance in Dakar

Three major Trans-African Highways begin in Dakar. These are the Cairo–Dakar Highway, the Dakar-Ndjamena Highway, and the Dakar-Lagos Highway. These highways connect Dakar to many other cities across Africa.

The Train Express Regional Dakar-AIBD (TER) connects Dakar with Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD). The first part of the railway, 36 km long, links Dakar to Diamniadio. A second part, 19 km long, connects to the airport. The TER has 14 train stations and can take you from one end to the other in 45 minutes. It started carrying passengers in December 2021 and is expected to serve 115,000 people daily.

The city also has a 100% electric bus rapid transit (BRT) network called Sunu BRT. It has two routes running now, with two more planned. This system uses 144 electric buses on special lanes. It helps about 300,000 passengers daily and cuts travel times almost in half. The BRT system started operating, making it easier for many more people to reach the city center quickly.

Blaise Diagne International Airport is Dakar's international airport. Many airlines fly there, including Air France, Delta, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines. It is also the main hub for Senegal's national airline, Air Senegal.

Famous People from Dakar

Dakar's Global Connections

Dakar is twinned with these cities around the world:

See also

In Spanish: Dakar para niños