Senegal | World Heritage Explorer

Senegal has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1976. With 7 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. One of these properties is shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Senegal as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: February 13, 1976

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1976-1978, 1978-1985, 1989-1995, 2011-2015, 2023-2027

Total of Mandate Years: 23

Total of Mandates: 5

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Senegal (7)

Cultural: 5 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes · Cultural
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary · Natural
Island of Gorée · Cultural
Island of Saint-Louis · Cultural
Niokolo-Koba National Park · Natural
Saloum Delta · Cultural
Stone Circles of Senegambia · Cultural (Transboundary)

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Senegal.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (8)

L'Aéropostale · submitted: November 18, 2005
L'île de Carabane · submitted: November 18, 2005
Architecture rurale de Basse-Casamance : Les cases à impluvium du royaume Bandial · submitted: November 18, 2005
Parc National des îles de la Madeleine · submitted: November 18, 2005
Les Escales du Fleuve Sénégal · submitted: November 18, 2005
Les tumulus de Cekeen · submitted: November 18, 2005
Le Lac Rose · submitted: November 18, 2005
Le Vieux Rufisque · submitted: November 18, 2005

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Senegal

Official Name: Republic of Senegal

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Western Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Dakar

Population (2024): 18,501,984

Land Area: 192,530 km²

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Senegal

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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