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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Senegal >> Dakar, Senegal (February 2009) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Dakar, Senegal (February 2009)

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is a modern city with beautiful contemporary buildings and historical colonial architecture. It is Senegal's largest city with more than 1.5 million people. It is located on the Cape Verde Peninsula, on the Atlantic coast. As the westernmost point of the African continent, Dakar is a major regional port. It is a multicultural city full of vibrant arts and traditions, active open-air markets, cafes, a wide range of hotels, food and nightlife. One can discover Dakar by taking a walk along the ocean, cliff walks or the busy city streets. The city has an abundance of galleries, museums, festivals, mosques and beaches. It makes a convenient jumping point for excursions to any of Senegal's national parks and nature preserves. The Senegalese are very proud of their reputation for "teranga" -- hospitality. While the locals are extremely friendly, as with anywhere else, watch out for tourist scams.
Dakar, Senegal cover page.
Dakar, Senegal cover page.		 Map of Senegal with the star indicating Dakar.
Map of Senegal with the star indicating Dakar.		 Guard in front of the Presidential Palace in Dakar, located on Roume Avenue.
Guard in front of the Presidential Palace in Dakar, located on Roume Avenue.		 Close-up of the palace guard dressed in the traditional uniform.
Close-up of the palace guard dressed in the traditional uniform.
The French colonial-style palace was built in 1907, for then Governor General Roume.
The French colonial-style palace was built in 1907, for then Governor General Roume.		 The Presidential Palace stands in the middle of a beautiful park in Dakar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The Presidential Palace stands in the middle of a beautiful park in Dakar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.		 The Ifan Museum (Institut Fondamental d'Afrique), is one of the oldest museums in West Africa built in 1931 in a Sudanese style.
The Ifan Museum (Institut Fondamental d'Afrique), is one of the oldest museums in West Africa built in 1931 in a Sudanese style.		 It is one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and is part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University.
It is one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and is part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University.
Statue in front of the National Assembly of Senegal in Place de Soweto, Dakar.
Statue in front of the National Assembly of Senegal in Place de Soweto, Dakar.		 Close-up of the statue depicting an victorious-looking man and woman
Close-up of the statue depicting an victorious-looking man and woman		 Façade of St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, located on Boulevard de la République in Dakar.
Façade of St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, located on Boulevard de la République in Dakar.		 Side view of the cathedral with its praying saints along the façade.
Side view of the cathedral with its praying saints along the façade.
Dakar's Catholic cathedral has an art deco look to it since it was built in the 1920's (and was inaugurated in 1929).
Dakar's Catholic cathedral has an "art deco" look to it since it was built in the 1920's (and was inaugurated in 1929).		 Wooden doors of the cathedral. Many of its designs pay homage to African culture.
Wooden doors of the cathedral. Many of its designs pay homage to African culture.		 The simple domed alter of St Mary's Cathedral.
The simple domed alter of St Mary's Cathedral.		 Close-up of the alter with a modern painting behind it.
Close-up of the alter with a modern painting behind it.
In the cathedral's dome is a mural depicting scenes of slavery in Africa.
In the cathedral's dome is a mural depicting scenes of slavery in Africa.		 Mosaic on the façade of the cathedral (for the 2000 jubilee), which translates as: Christ, yesterday, today and forever.
Mosaic on the façade of the cathedral (for the 2000 jubilee), which translates as: "Christ, yesterday, today and forever.		 This kid, who was seated near the Grand Mosque of Dakar, was carrying a partridge in the cage.
This kid, who was seated near the Grand Mosque of Dakar, was carrying a partridge in the cage.		 I tipped him to get this picture.
I tipped him to get this picture.
Next to the Grand Mosque is the Islamic Institute of Dakar, built in 1974 and dedicated to Islamic research and teaching.
Next to the Grand Mosque is the Islamic Institute of Dakar, built in 1974 and dedicated to Islamic research and teaching.		 Designed by French and Moroccan architects, the Grand Mosque was opened in 1964.
Designed by French and Moroccan architects, the Grand Mosque was opened in 1964.		 The Grand Mosque is stylistically similar to the Mohammed V Mosque in Casablanca.
The Grand Mosque is stylistically similar to the Mohammed V Mosque in Casablanca.		 Close-up of an entrance to the mosque. It is richly decorated on the exterior and interior.
Close-up of an entrance to the mosque. It is richly decorated on the exterior and interior.
The minaret of the mosque is 67 meters tall.
The minaret of the mosque is 67 meters tall.		 View of the minaret of the Grand Mosque through a decorative metal grating.
View of the minaret of the Grand Mosque through a decorative metal grating.		 This man, who was outside of the mosque, was trying to get a tip.
This man, who was outside of the mosque, was trying to get a tip.		 Workman repairing the brick of the square in front of the mosque.
Workman repairing the brick of the square in front of the mosque.
A Senegalese woman and her children outside of the mosque.
A Senegalese woman and her children outside of the mosque.		 The woman objected to more photos after I took this one.
The woman objected to more photos after I took this one.		 The Millenium Door sculpture was constructed in 2000 on a corniche in Dakar. It represents an entry door to the new millenium.
The Millenium Door sculpture was constructed in 2000 on a corniche in Dakar. It represents an entry door to the new millenium.		 At the top of the door is a golden statue of a woman symbolizing the mother Africa watching over her children.
At the top of the door is a golden statue of a woman symbolizing the mother Africa watching over her children.
View of Mosque of the Divinity, located on a western corniche of the coastline of Dakar.
View of Mosque of the Divinity, located on a western corniche of the coastline of Dakar.		 Close-up of the modern mosque. Nearby, is a beach with many fishermen and fishing boats.
Close-up of the modern mosque. Nearby, is a beach with many fishermen and fishing boats.		 A Senegalese man hanging from the back of a Transport en Commun bus in Dakar.
A Senegalese man hanging from the back of a "Transport en Commun" bus in Dakar.		 A roadside fruit stand in Dakar.
A roadside fruit stand in Dakar.
The French-colonial style Dakar train station. It was built for the Dakar-Niger Railway connecting Dakar to Koulikoro, Mali.
The French-colonial style Dakar train station. It was built for the Dakar-Niger Railway connecting Dakar to Koulikoro, Mali.		 War memorial at La Place du Tirailleur, which is across from the train station.
War memorial at La Place du Tirailleur, which is across from the train station.		 Close-up of the statue depicting two victorious soldiers.
Close-up of the statue depicting two victorious soldiers.		 Façade of the French colonial Chamber of Commerce building in Place de l'Indépendance in the heart of modern Dakar.
Façade of the French colonial Chamber of Commerce building in Place de l'Indépendance in the heart of modern Dakar.
Modern buildings along Independence Square in Dakar's center.
Modern buildings along Independence Square in Dakar's center.		 Foreign Service building (Affaires Étrangères) on Independence Square.
Foreign Service building (Affaires Étrangères) on Independence Square.		 Exterior of the 4-star Novotel Hotel where I stayed in Dakar. It is convenient and centrally located.
Exterior of the 4-star Novotel Hotel where I stayed in Dakar. It is convenient and centrally located.

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Guest 24-Jun-2009 03:43
Guest hide | delete 23-Jun-2009 00:10
Jeffrey, May I echo "Angel Eyes" but I have expressed my appreciation for the job you do in taking and sharing your photographs. I like knowing some of the specifics you include in your descriptions after your research is done. It is abvious you are as interested in the history behind the beauty of the architecture. Thanks for sharing. S. & O.
Ben 22-Jun-2009 20:53
Very interesting. I am surprised to see so many fine buildings as well as become acquainted with their type of architecture. I really like the simplicity of the interior of St. Mary's Cathedral. The idea of the Millenium Door is fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Angel Eyes 22-Jun-2009 06:05
Wonderful pictures; you have really captured the spirit of Dakar. Most people when they travel only capture the beauty. You have managed to do both. Magnificent photos, very well done! I hope to see more.
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