Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a vibrant West African nation situated at the westernmost point of the continent, often regarded as the "Gateway to Africa". Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, the country almost entirely surrounds the small nation of The Gambia. As a former French colony that gained independence in 1960, Senegal has established itself as a stable, multi-party democracy known for its cultural diversity, rich artistic traditions, and the national ethos of Teranga—a Wolof word for hospitality. The capital city, Dakar, is a bustling peninsula serving as a major political, economic, and cultural hub for the region.