# Rufisque

> city in Senegal

**Wikidata**: [Q1019424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1019424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufisque)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rufisque

## Summary
Rufisque is a city and big city located in Senegal, serving as the capital of the Rufisque Department. Historically significant as one of the "Four Communes"—French colonial towns granted elevated rights—it has grown from a population of 60,403 in 1976 to 295,459 in 2023.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in Senegal, specifically within the Rufisque Department and the Rufisque arrondissement.
- **Population**: 
  - 295,459 (2023, preferred value)
  - 221,066 (2013)
  - 143,281 (2002)
  - 142,340 (1988)
  - 60,403 (1976)
- **Geography**: Covers an area of 26.8 square kilometers with an elevation of 5 meters above sea level.
- **Coordinates**: 14.714027777777778 latitude, -17.272305555555555 longitude (applies to the mairie).
- **Classification**: Instance of a city, big city, and a commune of Senegal (1984–1996).
- **Heritage Status**: "Le Vieux Rufisque" has been a Tentative World Heritage Site since November 18, 2005.
- **Historical Affiliation**: Part of the "Four Communes," French colonial towns with elevated rights.
- **Twin Cities**: 
  - Rio de Janeiro
  - Fez (since 2007)
  - Hénin-Beaumont (since 1994)
- **Organizations**: 
  - Home to the headquarters of Teungueth FC (founded 2010).
  - Former location of the École normale de Rufisque (founded 1938).
- **Identifiers**: 
  - UN/LOCODE: SNRQ2
  - GeoNames ID: 2246512
  - MusicBrainz area ID: 1b18e0af-ec37-4dc4-b60b-1644f6167f2e
- **Aliases**: Tengeej, Tëngeej, Tengéej, Tëngéej, 盧夫斯奎.
- **Online Presence**: Official website available at https://www.rufisque.org (in French).

## FAQs
**Where is Rufisque located?**
Rufisque is a city in Senegal, located on the coast of West Africa. It serves as the capital of the Rufisque Department and is situated within the Rufisque arrondissement.

**What is the historical significance of the "Four Communes"?**
Rufisque was one of the "Four Communes," which were French colonial towns in Senegal granted elevated rights. This status distinguished it historically from other settlements in the region during the colonial period.

**What is the population trend of Rufisque?**
The city has experienced substantial population growth over recent decades, increasing from 60,403 residents in 1976 to 295,459 residents according to the 2023 census.

**Is Rufisque recognized as a World Heritage Site?**
While not a full World Heritage Site, "Le Vieux Rufisque" has been listed as a Tentative World Heritage Site since November 18, 2005, indicating its potential cultural value.

**What sports and educational institutions are associated with Rufisque?**
The city is the headquarters of the football club Teungueth FC, established in 2010. It was also the home of the École normale de Rufisque, a school founded in 1938.

## Why It Matters
Rufisque holds considerable historical importance as one of the "Four Communes," a status that provided its inhabitants with specific legal privileges during the French colonial era. This legacy contributes to its distinct cultural identity within Senegal. Today, the city matters as a major urban center; its rapid population growth, surpassing 295,000 people, underscores its role as a significant demographic and economic hub in the region. The designation of "Le Vieux Rufisque" as a Tentative World Heritage Site highlights its ongoing relevance in terms of cultural preservation and historical memory.

## Notable For
- **Historical Distinction**: Being one of only four French colonial towns in Senegal (the Four Communes) to enjoy elevated rights.
- **Urban Growth**: Increasing its population nearly five-fold between 1976 and 2023.
- **Cultural Recognition**: The inclusion of "Le Vieux Rufisque" on the UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage status.
- **Sports**: Hosting the headquarters of Teungueth FC, a notable Senegalese football club.
- **International Relations**: Maintaining twinning partnerships with Rio de Janeiro, Fez, and Hénin-Beaumont.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Rufisque is situated in the country of Senegal, located on the coast of West Africa. Geographically, it lies within the Rufisque arrondissement and serves as the capital of the Rufisque Department. The city encompasses a total area of 26.8 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level. The specific coordinates for the city hall (mairie) are 14.714027777777778° latitude and -17.272305555555555° longitude.

### Demographics
As a "big city" defined by a population of at least 100,000, Rufisque has seen consistent growth over the latter half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Census data indicates a population of 60,403 in 1976, which rose to 142,340 by 1988. By 2002, the population was recorded at 143,281, increasing to 221,066 in 2013. The most recent preferred data from 2023 lists the population at 295,459.

### History and Administration
Administratively, Rufisque is classified as a city and a big city. It held the status of a commune of Senegal from 1984 until 1996. The city is historically distinguished as part of the "Four Communes," a group of French colonial towns in Senegal that were granted elevated rights. This historical affiliation is a key component of the city's identity. It is the seat of the Rufisque Department and is distinct from the Rufisque arrondissement in which it is located.

### Culture and Heritage
Rufisque possesses significant cultural heritage, most notably "Le Vieux Rufisque." This area was added to the Tentative World Heritage List on November 18, 2005, under the heritage designation of a Tentative World Heritage Site. The city is also known for the École normale de Rufisque, a former school established in 1938 that contributed to the educational history of the region.

### Sports and Organizations
The city is home to Teungueth FC, a Senegalese football club. Founded in 2010, the club uses Rufisque as its headquarters. The presence of this club highlights the city's active participation in national sports.

### International Relations
Rufisque maintains international partnerships through sister city agreements. It is twinned with Rio de Janeiro, Fez (a relationship that began in 2007), and Hénin-Beaumont (a relationship established in 1994).

### Technical Identifiers and Data
Rufisque is cataloged in numerous global databases and systems:
- **UN/LOCODE**: SNRQ2
- **GeoNames ID**: 2246512
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 1b18e0af-ec37-4dc4-b60b-1644f6167f2e
- **GND ID**: 7518113-7
- **VIAF ID**: 157095665
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79099510
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 11946500h
- **FAST ID**: 1206243
- **Yale LUX ID**: place/d8125c16-f14c-4559-ae08-090ca0bbd562
- **Who's On First ID**: 421201973
- **OpenStreetMap**: Node ID 281170836, Relation ID 12982159
- **Facebook Location ID**: 109674332391696
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID**: ncf12006843
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007550227405171
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID**: place/Rufisque
- **Freebase ID**: /m/07h6l0
- **FactGrid Item ID**: Georg von Rauch
- **Online PWN Encyclopedia ID**: 3969938
- **World Heritage Tentative List ID**: 2081
- **IDREF ID**: 027419738
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -2273345

The city is also known by various aliases, including Tengeej, Tëngeej, Tengéej, Tëngéej, and 盧夫斯奎. Its official website is hosted in French at rufisque.org.

## References

1. [Source](http://mail.camara.rj.gov.br/APL/Legislativos/contlei.nsf/50ad008247b8f030032579ea0073d588/3f4147a57ed8aa3483257e8800663664?OpenDocument)
2. [Source](https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/cncdext/dyn/public/atlas/rechercheAtlasFrance.html?criteres.collectiviteId=24191)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
8. GeoNames
9. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/sn.htm)
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File