History
Gorée Island
Dakar, Senegal
A small island whose House of Slaves serves as a memorial to the Atlantic slave trade. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Period: 15th–19th century
Senegal: leaders, famous people, culture and history
3 places on the atlas covering history, culture and folklore. Highlights include Gorée Island, Jollof rice and Griot tradition.
What is on the atlas
Who leads Senegal?
| President | Bassirou Diomaye Faye |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Senegal’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Senegal
- Leopold Sedar Senghor poet and first president
- Youssou N'Dour singer
- Ousmane Sembene filmmaker and novelist
- Cheikh Anta Diop historian and scientist
- Mariama Ba novelist
- Sadio Mane footballer
- Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba founder of the Mouride order
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
History in Senegal
Culture in Senegal
Culture
Jollof rice
Saint-Louis, Senegal
A one-pot rice dish found across West Africa. It likely began with the Wolof people of Senegambia, where it is called thieboudienne, and every country claims its own favourite version.
Tradition: Spiced tomato rice
Folklore in Senegal
Folklore
Griot tradition
Kaolack, Senegal
West African griots are hereditary storytellers, praise singers and historians who preserve genealogies and histories through music, often accompanied by the kora.
Kind: Oral storytelling and music
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Senegal today, a short selection of well-known people from Senegal, and the 3 places pinned for Senegal on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Senegal on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the history page, culture page and folklore page.
Questions about Senegal
Who is the leader of Senegal?
As of July 2026: President: Bassirou Diomaye Faye; Prime Minister: Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Senegal?
Well-known people connected with Senegal include Leopold Sedar Senghor (poet and first president), Youssou N'Dour (singer), Ousmane Sembene (filmmaker and novelist), Cheikh Anta Diop (historian and scientist) and Mariama Ba (novelist).
What are important historical places in Senegal?
Historical places in Senegal on the atlas include Gorée Island. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Senegal known for?
Food and customs from Senegal on the atlas include Jollof rice. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Senegal have?
Folklore and music from Senegal on the atlas include Griot tradition. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Senegal on the map?
Choose See Senegal on the map above, or search for Senegal on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.