# Saint-Louis

> city and regional capital in Senegal

**Wikidata**: [Q273779](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q273779)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis,_Senegal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-louis

## Summary
Saint-Louis is a major city and regional capital located in Senegal, situated in the northern part of the country within the Saint-Louis Department. Founded in 1659, it serves as the political center of the Saint-Louis region and is historically significant as a former capital of French West Africa. The city is located on the Senegal River and is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** The city was founded in 1659.
- **Location:** It is situated in Northern Senegal, within the Saint-Louis Department, bordering the Senegal River.
- **Coordinates:** 16.0333° N, -16.5° W.
- **Elevation:** 22 meters above sea level.
- **Population:** The population was estimated at 258,592 in 2021; other recorded figures include 209,752 (2013 census) and 176,000 (2005).
- **Political Status:** It is the capital of the Saint-Louis region and the Saint-Louis Department. Historically, it was the capital of French West Africa and French Senegal (until 1946).
- **Time Zone:** UTC±00:00.
- **UN/LOCODE:** SNXLS.
- **Demonym:** Residents are known as Saint-louisien (masculine singular) and Saint-louisienne (feminine singular).
- **Government:** The head of government is Cheikh Bamba Dièye.
- **Heritage Status:** Member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Saint-Louis?**
Saint-Louis was founded in 1659 and historically served as the capital of French West Africa and French Senegal until 1946. It is also part of the "Four Communes" of Senegal, the oldest colonial towns in the country.

**Where is Saint-Louis located?**
The city is located in Northern Senegal, specifically within the Saint-Louis Department, and sits at an elevation of 22 meters on the Senegal River.

**What is the current population of Saint-Louis?**
According to 2021 estimates, the population is 258,592. Previous census data from 2013 recorded a population of 209,752.

**Which cities are twinned with Saint-Louis?**
Saint-Louis maintains sister-city relationships with Lille (France, since 1978), Fez (Morocco, since 1981), Liège (Belgium, since 1980), Bologna (Italy, since 1991), St. Louis (USA, since 1994), and Toulouse (France, since 2003).

## Why It Matters
Saint-Louis holds substantial political and historical weight in West Africa. As the former capital of French West Africa, it was the administrative center of a vast colonial empire. Its designation as a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities underscores its cultural and architectural importance on a global scale. The city remains a vital regional capital in Senegal, bridging its deep colonial history with modern governance as the seat of the Saint-Louis Department.

## Notable For
- **Former Capital of French West Africa:** It held the status of the capital for the entire federation of French West Africa.
- **Heritage Status:** It is a recognized member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.
- **Geography:** Located on the Senegal River near the ocean, it features unique island geography (Ile sud).
- **Historical Roots:** Founded in 1659, making it one of the oldest colonial cities in the region.
- **The Four Communes:** It is one of the historic "Four Communes" of Senegal, which held unique political status in the French colonial empire.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Saint-Louis is located in Northern Senegal, serving as the capital of the Saint-Louis Department. The city is geographically defined by its position on the Senegal River and has coordinates 16.0333° N, -16.5° W. It sits at a low elevation of 22 meters above sea level. The climate and daily life operate on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC±00:00).

The city has experienced steady population growth over the last two decades. Demographic records indicate a rise from 154,555 residents in 2002 (based on demographic balance) to 176,000 in 2005. The 2013 census recorded 209,752 inhabitants. Estimates show continued growth, reaching 237,563 in 2015 and 258,592 by 2021.

### History and Political Status
Founded in 1659, Saint-Louis is a city of deep historical resonance. It was historically part of French Senegal until 1946 and is classified as one of the "Four Communes." It held the prestigious role of capital for French West Africa and remains the regional capital of Saint-Louis today. The city is recognized in numerous historical encyclopedias, including the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary* and the *Encyclopædia Britannica Ninth Edition*.

The current head of government is Cheikh Bamba Dièye. The city's governance is also documented by its active website (saintlouisdusenegal.com) and various social media presences, including a Facebook location ID and Quora topic.

### International Relations
Saint-Louis maintains a robust network of international partnerships through town twinning programs:
- **Lille, France:** Partnership started in 1978.
- **Liège, Belgium:** Partnership started in 1980.
- **Fez, Morocco:** Partnership started in 1981.
- **Bologna, Italy:** Partnership started in 1991.
- **St. Louis, United States:** Partnership started in 1994.
- **Toulouse, France:** Partnership started in 2003.

### Identifiers and Classifications
The city is cataloged under numerous international classification systems and libraries, reflecting its global significance. It is listed as a "city," "commune of Senegal," and "big city" in Wikidata properties.
- **Standard IDs:** VIAF ID 145458067; Library of Congress Authority ID n83193984; GND ID 4118222-4.
- **Encyclopedic Entries:** Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID `place/Saint-Louis-Senegal`; Encyclopædia Universalis ID `saint-louis-senegal`.
- **Geo-Data:** GeoNames ID 2246452; OpenStreetMap Relation ID 12989616; OpenStreetMap Node ID 249167293.
- **Other:** It holds a UN/LOCODE of SNXLS and a Who's on First ID 421195693.

### Cultural and Linguistic Profile
The city is culturally rich, associated with the demonym "Saint-louisien" (masculine) and "Saint-louisienne" (feminine). It has a significant digital footprint with Wikipedia articles in 64 languages, including Arabic, Wolof (`wo`), French, and English. It is linked to a MusicBrainz Area ID and has a dedicated category for people born and deceased within the city limits. Visual documentation of the city is available through its Wikimedia Commons category and banner image.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ndarinfo.com/NdaRagne/m/Cheikh-Bamba-DIEYE-Le-Doomou-Ndar-du-Mois_a11.html)
2. [Nos villes partenaires](https://www.lille.fr/www_en/Votre-Mairie/Les-relations-internationales/Nos-villes-partenaires)
3. [Le partenariat Lille Saint-Louis du Sénégal](https://www.persee.fr/doc/htn_0018-439x_1994_num_4_1_2479)
4. [Sant Louis Sister Cities Program](https://worldtradecenter-stl.com/st-louis-sister-cities-program/st-louis-senegal/)
5. [Plaidoyer pour la revitalisation du jumelage entre Saint-Louis et Fès](https://www.ndarinfo.com/Plaidoyer-pour-la-revitalisation-du-jumelage-entre-Saint-Louis-et-Fes_a12927.html)
6. [Fés: Jumelages](https://www.fescity.com/jumelage/)
7. [Fés: Présentation des collectivités locales](https://www.collectivites-territoriales.gov.ma/sites/default/files/pnct/2020-12/CL%20en%20chiffres%202004.pdf)
8. [Liège Saint Louis (Sénégal)](https://www.liege.be/fr/vie-communale/services-communaux/international/jumelages-et-partenaires/saint-louis-senegal)
9. [1995 - Bologne](https://www.coe.int/fr/web/europe-prize-exhibition/bologne)
10. BnF authorities
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. MusicBrainz
15. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
16. GeoNames
17. BBC Things
18. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)