Dakar
Dakar (/dɑːˈkɑːr, dæ-/ UK also: /ˈdækɑːr/; French: [dakaʁ]; Wolof: Ndakaaru) is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The department of Dakar has a population of 1,182,417, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.9 million in 2023.
Dakar | |
|---|---|
Left to right from top: Place de l'Indépendance, Maison des Esclaves Memorial in Gorée, Mosque of the Divinity, Soumbedioune boats of Médina, Ngor beach | |
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Flag Seal | |
City of Dakar, divided into 19 communes d'arrondissement | |
Dakar Location within Senegal Dakar Dakar (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 14°41′34″N 17°26′48″W | |
| Country | Senegal |
| Région | Dakar |
| Département | Dakar |
| Settled | 15th century |
| Communes d'arrondissement | 19
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| Government | |
| • Mayor | Barthélemy Dias (YAW/MTS) |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 83 km2 (32 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Population (2023 Census) | |
| • Capital city | 1,182,417 |
| • Density | 14,000/km2 (37,000/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 3,896,564 |
| • Metro density | 4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi) |
| Data here are for the administrative Dakar région, which matches almost exactly the limits of the metropolitan area | |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| Website | villededakar.sn |
The area around Dakar was colonized by the Portuguese in the early 15th century. The Portuguese established a presence on the island of Gorée off the coast of Cap-Vert and used it as a base for the Atlantic slave trade. France took over the island in 1677. Following the abolition of the slave trade and French annexation of the mainland area in the 19th century, Dakar grew into a major regional port and a major city of the French colonial empire. In 1902, Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa. From 1959 to 1960, Dakar was the capital of the short-lived Mali Federation. In 1960, it became the capital of the independent Republic of Senegal. Dakar will host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.