ISLAND OF SAINT-LOUIS, SENEGAL
Residents: 277,245 (2011, UN)
Vistitor Data: Not Available
The Island of Saint-Louis in Senegal, known to locals as Ndar (from the Wolof word for "pasture"), sits on the mouth of the Senegal River. Founded as a French colonial settlement in the 17thcentury, and became a hub for European traders in search of slaves, gum, Arabic, gold, and leather. It served as the capital of the French colony and French West Africa until 1902, then as the capital ofSenegal from 1872 to 1957 before the capital was moved to Dakar.
In a unique setting surrounded by tidal marshes and marked by a system of quays, Saint-Louis’ earned World Heritage status in 2000 due to its contribution as an example of colonial architecture and craftsmanship, and for its importance as a hub for exchange of values and trade.