Dakar — founding and capital of French West Africa

1857 / 1902 · Dakar

In 1857, the French established a military post on the Cap-Vert peninsula and founded the city of Dakar, on the lands of the Lébou people who had lived there for centuries. The city grew around its port. In 1902, Dakar became the capital of French West Africa. Today, Dakar is one of the great metropolises of West Africa.

Sources

• Persée — Jacques Charpy, « Aux origines du port de Dakar » (Outre-Mers, 2011) — confirme la date du 25 mai 1857 et l'expédition de Protêt
• FranceArchives — fondation de Dakar

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