Long considered one of Africa's model democracies, the western African nation of Senegal has a tradition of stable governments and civilian rule.

Hundreds of Senegalese were killed in a local separatist conflict in the southern region of Casamance, but violence has waned since a 2014 ceasefire.

The country's stability has allowed it to send peacekeeping troops to DR Congo, Liberia and Kosovo.

Slaves, ivory and gold were exported from the coast during the 17th and 18th Centuries and now the economy is based mainly on agriculture. The money sent home by Senegalese living abroad is a key source of revenue.

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REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL: FACTS

• Capital: Dakar

• Area: 196,712 sq km

• Population: 17.1 million

• Languages: French, Wolof, Serer, Jola, Pulaar, Soninke, Malinke, Arabic

• Life expectancy: 66 years (men) 70 years (women)

LEADER

President: Macky Sall

Once an ally of former President Abdoulaye Wade, Macky Sall created his own opposition party in 2008 and defeated Wade in the 2012 elections., he was reelected in February 2019.

During his time in office, the separatist conflict in the southern Casamance region has waned, and in 2014 rebel leader Salif Sadio declared a unilateral ceasefire.

Mr Sall has reduced the presidential term from seven years to five, saying he wanted to set an example within Africa, where many leaders cling to power beyond their allotted term. The proposal won approval in a March 2016 referendum but will only be implemented after Mr Sall's term.

Senegal has a lively political scene, with parties competing across ethnic, religious and ideological lines.

MEDIA

Senegal has traditionally had one of the most unrestricted and diverse media scenes in the region.

The constitution guarantees freedom of information and abuses against journalists are relatively infrequent, says press freedom group Reporters Without Borders.

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TIMELINE

Some key dates in Senegal's history:

8th Cemtury - Present-day Senegal is part of the Kingdom of Ghana.

12-14th Centuries - Rise of the Jolof empire.

1440s - Portuguese traders reach Senegal river estuary.

1588 - Dutch establish slave port on island of Goree.

1659 - French found St-Louis at the mouth of the Senegal river; it becomes a key slave-trading port.

1677 - French take over island of Goree from the Dutch, the start of nearly 300 years of French oversight.

1756-63 - Seven Years War: Britain takes over French posts in Senegal, forms colony of Senegambia.

1775-83 - France regains its holdings during the American Revolutionary War.

1816 - Britain returns French holdings captured during Napoleonic Wars.

Late 1800s - France extends its influence, gains control of all the territory of Senegal.

1895 - Senegal becomes part of French West Africa.

1914 - Blaise Diagne elected as Senegal's first African deputy to French parliament.

1946 - Senegal becomes part of the French Union.

1958 - Becomes an autonomous republic, as part of the French Community.

1960 - Senegal becomes independent, initially as part of Mali Federation but quickly pulls out of the federation to become a separate republic.

1966 - Senghor's Senegalese Progressive Union becomes country's sole political party.

1982 - Senegambian Confederation formed; Senegal and neighbouring Gambia aim to combine military and security forces. Dissolved in 1989.

Separatists in southern province of Casamance form Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces.

2000 - Opposition leader Abdoulaye Wade wins second round of presidential elections, ending 40 years of socialist party rule.

2004 - Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces and government sign pact aimed at ending secessionist struggle in the southern province of Casamance, but violence continues.

2006 - Spain and Senegal agree a series of measures to curb illegal migration to the Canary Islands.

2010 - France gives up its military bases in the country.

2014 - Rebel leader Salif Sadio, who had been fighting for the independence of the Casamance region, declares a unilateral ceasefire.

2016 - Voters back reducing the presidential term from seven years to five i a referendum.

Former leader of Chad Hissene Habre is found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison by an African Union-backed court in Senegal.