South of Dakar are shallow estuaries along the coast fringed by palm trees. Senegal is a republic with 20 political parties, a national assembly and a senate. A president is elected every 7 years. Senegal has elected on March 19th 2000 a nw government through a totally democratic process. This election was heralded as the example of how democracy can and should be exercised by people on the African continent.
Casual wear is important.
Greetings are appropriate when coming accross local people especially in villages. Visitors should make an effort to learn one greeting in the local dialect. Paying for hospitality with money will put you in a very embarassing position and you may even be ripped off too as tourists have encouraged the prectice of begging among indigenous people. You may return hospitality with gifts of medecine, or food for the family or cloth to the elders. Smoking is prohibited in most places.