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COUNTRY FOCUS
marketing, some industries, and some public utilities, including telecommunica- tions (Sonatel), textiles (Sotexka), electric utilities (Senelec), and peanut processing (Sonacos) were borne into existence.
There are lots of things to do and places to visit when in Senegal. Our top 5 are:
Pink Lake
Lake Retba or Lac Rose (meaning Pink Lake) lies north of the Cap Vert peninsula of Senegal, some 30 km (18 miles) north- east of the capital, Dakar in northwest Africa. It is named for its pink waters caused by Dunaliellasalina algae and is known for its high salt content, up to 40% in some areas. This salt lake is renowned for changing the original color of its water. The lake and its surroundings is a great playground for crossing the dunes on 4x4, motorbike, quad or for quieter rides on horseback or by camel or on foot.
Gorée island
Gorée island lies off the coast of Sene- gal, opposite Dakar. It is a 20minutes ferry ride from Dakar mainland.
From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. Ruled in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French, its architecture is characterized by the
contrast between the grim slave-quar- ters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. Today it continues to serve as a reminder of human exploitation and as a sanctuary for reconciliation. It is a place that symbolizes the memory of the slave trade in Africa, recognized officially by the Organization of United Nations (UNO) in 1978.
African Renaissance Monument
The Monument of the African Renais- sance is a monumental statue of bronze that is about 52 meters high, made of copper on one of the two conical volca- nic hills which overlooks the Senegalese capital and Atlantic Ocean.
It is accessed by an elevator that goes through 15 flights storey up to the cap of the man and is said to be taller than the statue of Liberty. The monument rep- resents a couple and their child, raised towards the sky.
Bandia Reserve
An unforgettable safari during your stay in Senegal in the reserve of Ban- dia where you can meet all the big mammals of Africa in 3.500 ha of grand nature: huge baobabs, thorny bushes, whimsical lianas...
With the exception of the big carnivores, you will be able to see most of the best-
known African animals: white rhinoceros, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, giant eland, Cape eland, Oryx, roan antelope, waterbuck, western Buffon’s cob, greater kudu, im- pala, dama gazelle, red fronted gazelle, warthog, patas monkey, green vervet monkey, jackal, mongoose, crocodiles, giant tortoise, ostrich as well as over 120 species of bird.
Reserve Bandia, invites you to pleas- ant photographic safaris. close to the beaches of SalyPortudal, it puts the leg- endary African wildlife to everyone.
Soumbedioune Market
Located on the western corniche of
the city of Dakar, Soumbédioune is one of the old quarters of the peninsula of Cape Verde. Hundreds of canoes leave in search of the fish destined to feed the markets of Dakar. An area full of history, Marché Artisanal de Soumbedioune has become a popular tourist destination.
It is possible to witness the return of the canoes, the unloading of the many va- rieties of fish, the negotiations between the fishermen or their ship owners, the fishers who are often women and then the sale of all the seafood. It is preferable to go at around 5 pm, as activities are in high season during this time.
54 | The Lion King | Commemorative Edition | January - April 2019
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