Dakar

Dakar is the main administrative and financial center of the country. The National Assembly of Senegal is seated there and the palace of the Senegalese president is also located in the city. The city used to be famous for one of the most demanding automobile races in the world- the Paris-Dakar Rally. Even though the city offers many shops, restaurants, cinemas and modern buildings, many of its inhabitants still live in poverty. According to the research and advisory company Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) , Dakar is one of the economically weakest cities in the world, despite the fact that the local port is the most significant one in the region. The Cheikh Anta Diop University is also seated in the city..

Tourist attractions

The biggest tourist attraction of the city is the Dakar Grand Mosque, the cathedral and the museum of African art IFAN. There is also a zoo and the Hann Park. Since 2010, there is a monument called the African Renaissance, which commemorates the liberation of Africans from the European rule. The best-known square is the Place de l'Independance Square. Another popular site is the Gorée Island , which has been listed on the World Heritage List UNESCO since 1978 for its eventful past and valuable architecture. There are beautiful beaches perfect for relaxing on the edge of Dakar.

The Dakar Rally

Dakar became famous for the renowned automobile and motorcycle race- the Paris- Dakar Rally. The finish line was placed in the city. The races were held there since 1979 but they were cancelled in 2008. Since 2009, the Dakar Rally has taken place in South America- in Argentina and Chile .

Historical development of the city

The city Dakar was founded in the 15th century. First slaves were transported from there in the first half of the 16t century. The slave trade was finally abolished in 1794. However, the new law did not take effect until 1815. In spite of this fact, some sources state that slave trade continued on the Gorée Island until 1848. Dakar has been the capital of Senegal since 1960.

Recommendations

Watch out for pickpockets and other thieves all the time. You should take into account that you will be often bothered by beggars. Be patient and pleasant at all times. If you want to get rid of them, buy them something to eat. You will have to cope with them as you will step into them on every corner.

Tourist services

The most popular accommodating facilities are the Sofitel Hotel, the Al Afifa Hotel and the Seneganne Pension. In case you need to catch a plane early in the morning, go into the Onomo Hotel. There are several good restaurants, such as the Ali Baba Restaurant, the Café de Rome Restaurant offering French cuisine, the Le Jardin Thailandais Restaurant with Thai cuisine, the La Fourchette Restaurant with international cuisine or the L'Ozio Restaurant offering Italian cuisine. If you like ice-cream, visit the Glacier ice-cream shop with more than 30 different types of this sweet. If you are spending the evening in Dakar, you can visit e.g. the cinema "Le Paris".

Transport

Dakar is best accessible by plane or ship. The airport Léopold Sédar Senghor is situated in the north-western part of the city, and there are regular flights from various destinations in Europe, Africa and North America. By car, you can reach the city by roads N1 or N2. Within the city, you can use the taxis or provisional buses, which are usually very crowded. Be sure to set the price with the taxi driver before the trip, otherwise it might cost you a considerable amount of money. The buses (that are actually adjusted vans) go to other cities in Senegal , too. You will recognize them by their blue-yellow color. The taxis are usually yellow and black.