Sine-Saloum
Background Information
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The natural region of Sine-Saloum is located north of The Gambia and south of the Petite Côte. It encompasses an area of 180000 hectares. It is in this region that the Saloum Delta National Park is located.
It is a river delta formed by the confluence of two rivers: the Siin and the Saloum. Because it flows so slowly, this delta allows saltwater to travel deep inland.
Long ago, the Serer kingdoms of Sine and Saloum were rivals. In 1984, the area was divided into two administrative regions: Kaolack and Fatick.
Economy
The main economic activity is fishing.
Transportation is difficult because of the many islands.
A secondary economy is the construction of fishing boats.
Ecosystem
The salinity of the water is increasing due to mismanagement of the rivers upstream. Mangroves are disappearing, and freshwater fish are disappearing with them. The villagers have difficulty obtaining freshwater. Sometimes water pumps are donated by international organizations, but spare parts are difficult to find when the pumps fail. The change in water salinity is affecting the ecosystem as much as it is changing the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the region.
Sine-Saloum has long been feared by even Europe's most distinguished mariners because the sandbanks move, particularly in Sangomar. This danger to outsiders has long protected the region and preserved its individual villages.
