Senegal’s history dates back thousands of years, with early civilizations such as the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires influencing the region. It became a key area for trans-Saharan trade long before European contact. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers arrived, followed by the French, who established colonial rule by the 19th century. Senegal was part of French West Africa until it gained independence in 1960. Since then, Senegal has developed as a stable and culturally rich nation in West Africa.