a republic in West Africa, on the Atlantic: made part of French West Africa in 1895; became fully independent in 1960; joined with The Gambia to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); mostly low-lying, with semidesert in the north and tropical forest in the southwest. Official language: French; Wolof is widely spoken. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Dakar. Pop: 15 850 567 (2017 est). Area: 197 160 sq km (76 124 sq miles)