According to petwithsupplies, Senegal is a West African country located on the Atlantic Coast. It is bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The country is home to a diverse population of over 17 million people. The official language of Senegal is French and the majority of the population follows Islam as their religion. The largest cities in Senegal are Dakar (the capital), Thiès, Touba, Kaolack, Mbour, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, and Richard-Toll. Dakar is home to nearly 3 million people and is the most populous city in Senegal. It serves as the political and economic hub of the country and many government offices are located here. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with music venues, art galleries, museums, restaurants and markets. It also has numerous beaches along its coastline that offer activities such as surfing and swimming. Thiès is the second-largest city in Senegal with a population of around 1 million people. It is an important travel hub with several railway lines connecting it to other parts of the country as well as international destinations such as Paris and Madrid. The city also serves as an important industrial center for manufacturing goods such as textiles and fertilizers. Touba is another important city in Senegal; it has a population of over 800 thousand people and serves as an important religious center for Muslims who follow Mouride Sufism which originated here in 1883. Kaolack has a population of nearly 600 thousand people making it one of the largest cities in Senegal; it serves an important agricultural center for producing peanuts which are exported throughout West Africa from this port city on the Saloum River Delta. Mbour has around 400 thousand residents; it is known for its fishing industry but also offers plenty of tourist attractions such as national parks and beaches along its coastline with stunning views overlooking its estuary into the Atlantic Ocean. In 2008, Senegal was a stable and democratic nation with a multi-party system. The country was governed by President Abdoulaye Wade who had been in power since 2000. He was re-elected in 2007 following changes to the constitution which allowed him to run for a third consecutive term. The government of Senegal was based on the principles of democratic rule and separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Senegal has an active foreign policy which includes strong ties with other African nations, as well as France, the United States and other Western countries. It is also an active member of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In 2008, Senegal hosted several international summits including the ECOWAS summit in Dakar which focused on regional integration and cooperation. The economy of Senegal is largely based on agriculture with peanuts being its main export commodity. Fishing is also an important industry along its coastline with many small-scale operations present throughout the country. In 2008, Senegal received $1 billion in foreign aid from various countries including France, Japan, and United States; this aid has helped to improve infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals and wells throughout the country. In terms of security and defense, Senegal has participated in several peacekeeping missions abroad including those in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Congo Brazzaville (Congo), Liberia (Liberia) and Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone). It also has strong ties with the United States and France in terms of military cooperation. In 2008, Senegal signed a defense agreement with France which allowed for joint military exercises and training. Overall, Senegal in 2008 was a stable and democratic nation with a multi-party system, an active foreign policy, and a largely agricultural-based economy. It was actively involved in international peacekeeping missions abroad and had strong ties with the United States and France in terms of military cooperation. The country was receiving foreign aid from various countries to help improve infrastructure throughout the nation. Check pharmacylib for Senegal in 1996.