Léopold Sédar Senghor was a Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist who was the first president of Senegal (1960–1980).
Image: Senghorsig
Senghor in 1978
Léopold Sédar Senghor receives an honoris causa from the University of Salamanca
Senghor signing a copy of his Poèmes, Universita degli Studi di Genova (18 January 1988).
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Senegal is bordered by Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds The Gambia, a country occupying a narrow sliver of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates Senegal's southern region of Casamance from the rest of the country. Senegal also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde. Senegal's economic and political capital is Dakar.
The Portuguese Empire was the first European power to colonize Senegal, beginning with the arrival of Dinis Dias in 1444 at Gorée Island and ending in 1888, when the Portuguese gave Ziguinchor to the French.
French slave traders in Gorée, 18th century
Macky Sall, President of Senegal (2012–2024)
Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal (2000–2012)
