The Republic of Senegal is a country in West Africa. Gambia occupies a narrow sliver of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates the southern Casamance region. from the rest of the country.

The Senegalese economy has traditionally revolved around a single cash crop, the peanut. The government, however, has worked to diversify both cash crops and subsistence agriculture by expanding into commodities such as cotton, garden produce, and sugarcane as well as by promoting non-agricultural sectors.

Extensive acreage is devoted to millet and sorghum. Agriculture occupies about two-thirds of the economically active population and provides the basis for industry as well. Rice is cultivated both in naturally wet areas and by irrigation.

The climate and the savanna type of vegetation encourage the raising of livestock. Stock raising is not a major source of income for the farmer, however; the meat is consumed locally, and only the hides and skins are exported.

Fishing products now lead all exports in terms of value, the result of many years of building up the industry. The waters off Senegal, particularly those at some distance from the shore have an abundance of economically significant fish. Senegal’s coastal waters are also known for their large variety of fish, unlike most other African countries on the Atlantic seaboard.

Utilisation of mineral resources such as gold, petroleum and natural gas also diversify the economy. Currently the main industries include food processing, mining, cement, artificial fertiliser, chemicals, textiles, refining imported petroleum and tourism. Exports include fish, chemicals, cotton, fabrics, groundnuts and calcium phosphate. The principal foreign market is India. Other foreign markets include the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom.