Sine-Saloum

The natural area of the Sine-Saloum is in the North of the Gambia and the south of the Small-Coast. Its surface is of 180.000 hectares. It is in this natural area that is the National park of the delta of Saloum.

It is a Delta formed by the Confluence of two Fleuve S, the Sine and the Saloum. It is also, an arm of the sea letting enter more and more deeply the salt water the grounds because the flow of the two rivers is rather slow.

A long ago, the kingdoms Sérères of Sine (capitals Diakhao, Mbissel) and of Saloum (capital Kahone) were rival. Since 1984, two administrative areas Kaolack and Kaolack were created.

Economy

The principal economic activity is artisanal fishing.

Transport is also very important, because it is the only means to move islands in islands.

There exists a secondary economy based on the construction of boat, fishing vessels and passage of the vats.

Ecosystem

This salinisation of water is accentuated by a bad management of the rivers upstream:
  • the Mangrove S, Palétuvier S disappear and the fresh water fish support less and less this change of the ecosystem.
  • the villagers have evil to supply themselves out of fresh water. Sometimes is a water pump given free by international organizations but how to get spare parts in the event of breakdown?

This ecological upheaval transforms nature as much as the life of the inhabitants of this area.

Navigation

Sine-Saloum was always dreaded by the European navigators most highly skilled who especially feared the movements of sand banks to the point of Sangomar. This dangerous bar, the lack of tracks, means of transport other than by vats protected this area during long years and preserved the characteristic of the villages.

Tourism

It is one of the most beautiful areas of Senegal. Backwaters, forests, mangroves, lagoons, sandy cords form a rich variety of landscapes without counting the fauna and the birds of the national park, the typical small villages of fishermen and the reception of the inhabitants.

As example the island of Mar Lodj is rather representative of this environment.

See too

Internal bonds

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