Médina, Dakar

Médina is a commune d'arrondissement of the city of Dakar, Senegal, part of the Dakar-Plateau arrondissement, located in the southern part of Dakar.

Médina
Commune d'arrondissement
The market of Soumbedioun
Medina location
Country	Senegal
Region	Dakar Region
Department	Dakar Department
Area
• Total	2 km^2 (0.8 sq mi)
Population  (2013)
• Total	81,982
• Density	41,000/km^2 (110,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)

Overview

Médina is one of the most ancient and most populous areas of Dakar, and one that has kept its original African character, as opposed to the modern districts of the Plateau. As such, it is also a cultural centre of the city. A number of notable Senegalese people, including the world-famous singer Youssou N'Dour and Omar Pene (another influential singer and musician) were born in Médina.

Médina also houses some of the prominent landmarks of Dakar, including the Grand Mosque[1] and the Soumbédioune market, one of the major street markets of Dakar, which is also a prominent tourist attraction.[2]

History

The commune of Médina was established by the French colonial authorities in 1914. The explicit intent of the establishment of Médina was that of creating a "native quarter" for the African population, clearly separated from the urban areas inhabited by the Europeans, especially for health-related reasons.[3]

References

1. Grand Mosquée on Lonely Planet
2. Soumbédioune on Lonely Planet
3. Raymond Betts, The establishment of the Medina in Dakar, Senegal 1914