World Heritage Identification Number: 956
World Heritage since: 2000
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇸🇳 Senegal
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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A Cultural and Economic Hub: The Island of Saint-Louis, Senegal
The Island of Saint-Louis, located at the mouth of the Senegal River in West Africa, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of Senegal. This historic part of the city of Saint-Louis was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, recognizing its unique urban planning, architectural style, and pivotal role in the region's development.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Founded as a French colonial settlement in the 17th century, Saint-Louis was urbanised in the mid-19th century. It was the capital of Senegal from 1872 to 1957 and played an important cultural and economic role in the whole of West Africa. The location of the town on an island at the mouth of the Senegal River, its regular town plan, the system of quays, and the characteristic colonial architecture give Saint-Louis its distinctive appearance and identity.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The historic town of Saint-Louis exhibits an important exchange of values and influences on the development of education and culture, architecture, craftsmanship, and services in a large part of West Africa.
Criterion (iv): The Island of Saint-Louis, a former capital of West Africa, is an outstanding example of a colonial city, characterized by its particular natural setting, and it illustrates the development of colonial government in this region.
Encyclopedia Record: Island of Saint-Louis
The Island of Saint-Louis is the historic part of the city of Saint-Louis in Senegal. In 2000, it was inscribed by the UNESCO on the World Heritage list.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
Number of Components: 1
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 16.02778 , -16.50444
Image
© Jim Williams, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
