Casamance - Definition and Overview

Flag of Casamance

Casamance is the area of Senegal south of The Gambia including the Casamance River. 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 (Diola) 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. The conflict has, at times, lead to violent confrontations with Senegalese forces and killings for decades at the end of the 20th century.

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

External link

• Casamance.net (http://www.casamance.net/index.htm) (in French)