Casamance

Map of the Casamance region.

Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. It consists of Basse Casamance (Ziguinchor Region) and Haute Casamance (Kolda Region). Ziguinchor is its largest town.

Low-lying and hot, with some hills to the southeast, the economy of the Casamance relies largely on rice cultivation and tourism. It also has excellent beaches along its coastline, particularly at Cap Skirring.

The Jola are the dominant ethnic group in the Casamance, though they are economically disadvantaged as a whole in Senegal. Their economic condition has contributed to a separatist movement for the independence or autonomy of the Casamance, Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) . The Casamance Conflict has, at times, lead to violent confrontations with Senegalese forces and killings for decades at the end of the 20th century.

The Casamance was subject to both French and Portuguese colonial efforts before a border was negotiated between the French colony of Senegal and Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau) to the south.

The Casamance has average rainfall greater than the rest of Senegal.

External link

[Casamance.net] ()

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