population: 1.3 million
extension: 83.02 square kilometers
One museum you could visit in Dakar is the "IFAN Museum of African Arts" which has a collection of traditional West African art. Other museums in the area that may interest you include the Dakar African Renaissance Monument and the Museum of Black Civilizations.
Some of the most recommended and popular dishes to try in Dakar, Senegal according to local people are:
1. Thieboudienne: A traditional dish made with fish, rice, tomato paste, and vegetables such as carrots, cassava, and eggplant.
2. Yassa Poulet: Grilled or fried chicken marinated in a sauce made from onions, lemon juice, mustard, and spices, and served with rice or couscous.
3. Mafé: A stew made with meat (usually beef or chicken), peanuts, tomato paste, and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and cabbage, served with rice.
4. Ceebu jën: A rice-based dish similar to Thieboudienne but typically made with meat (such as lamb or beef) instead of fish.
5. Pastels: Fried pastry filled with spicy fish or meat mixture.
6. Fataya: Deep-fried pastry filled with meat or vegetable mixture.
7. Thiakry: A sweet dessert made with millet, yogurt, and sugar.
8. Bissap: A refreshing drink made from hibiscus flowers, sugar, and mint.
9. Ginger Juice: A beverage made with fresh ginger, sugar, and water.
10. Café Touba: A hot beverage made with coffee beans roasted with grains of selim (a type of spice) and served with sugar.
Here are some fun activities that local people enjoy in Dakar:
1. Visit the colorful markets like Marché Sandaga and Marché Kermel, where you can buy everything from fresh produce to textiles.
2. Take a stroll along the Corniche, which is a scenic coastal road with views of the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Try some local cuisine at restaurants like Chez Loutcha or Le Soumbedioune.
4. Attend a traditional Sabar dance performance, which is a lively and rhythmic form of music and dance that originated in Senegal.
5. Visit Goree Island, which was a key trading center during the transatlantic slave trade and now houses several museums and historical sites.