Senegal, a river of West Africa, has two main sources, the Bafing which flows north from the plateau of Futa-Jallon, and the Bakhoy which comes from the south-east, the country of Buré, not far from the north bank of the Joliba (Niger). These streams meet at Bafulabé, 700 miles from the coast, and from there the united Senegal flows north-west, west, and south-west, and reaches the Atlantic some 10 miles below St Louis. For three months of the year (July–October) boats drawing 20 feet can get up to Kayes, 40 miles below Bafulabé. The channel is, however, in those higher reaches greatly obstructed by falls and ‘narrow,’ and in its lower course it is studded with numerous low, flat islands. Although the river is navigable all the year round for about 200 miles up, it is not so serviceable for navigation as it might be because of a formidable bar that lies across its mouth. The difficulties of the navigation are in part overcome by a railway along the left bank of the river, between Kayes and Dioumbéba, a place 25 miles beyond Bafulabé, and the French are continuing the line to Bammako on the Niger, which is only about 320 miles distant from Kayes.
SENEGAL, a French colony in West Africa, consisting of various posts, towns, and territories situated on both banks of the river Senegal, as St Louis, Dagana, Médine, Bafulabé, &c. The population does not exceed 135,500. The administrative districts of the colony are under a governor. For further particulars, see SENEGAMBIA.