Thiès

Thiès is a major industrial city located in Senegal. It serves as the capital of the Thiès Region. As of 2023, the city has a population of 391,253 people. This makes it the third largest city in the country. The city sits east of Dakar along the N2 road.

It acts as a vital hub for the surrounding area. Many transport routes meet in this location.

The city functions as a central transportation junction. It connects several important railway lines. These tracks run to Dakar, Bamako, and Saint-Louis.

The Dakar-Saint Louis line opened in 1885. This was the first rail line in French West Africa. Later, the Dakar-Niger line was built between 1906 and 1923. This transformed the city from a simple rail stop, or "escale," into a major junction. Paved roads also converge here. The N3 road joins the N2 road in the town. This gives Thiès control over access to the Cap-Vert Peninsula.

History shows how the Thiès Plateau changed over time. Originally, it was a wooded frontier. The Serer-Noon people lived there. They are an ethnic sub-group of the Serer people. They speak the Noon language, which belongs to the Cangin language group. In the 17th century, the village of Dianxene was founded. It was part of the kingdom of Cayor. By 1860, the village had only 75 inhabitants. The French established a military post in 1864. This helped the city grow. Later, Spiritans founded a mission to protect locals from slave raids. In 1904, the French colonial administration created the commune of Thiès.

The city played a role in Senegal's political history. Rail workers were central to the labor movement. They organized strikes in 1937 and again from 1947 to 1948. These strikes helped the independence movement in French West Africa. A very important leader lived here. Léopold Sédar Senghor became the first president of independent Senegal. He was elected as the mayor of Thiès in November 1956.

Thiès has a diverse and productive economy. It is famous for its tapestry-making industry. An exclusive factory opened there in 1966. It produces art designed by Senegal's top artists. One famous piece is the Birds of Paradise tapestry.

The city is also a center for livestock trading and meat-packing. It sits near a productive agricultural area. This hinterland produces rice, peanuts, manioc, millet, and fruit. Mining also supports the region. Aluminum phosphate deposits are worked at Palo Dial and Taïba. This phosphate is used as fertilizer. It is one of Senegal's largest exports.

Education is a significant part of life in Thiès. The city is home to the University of Thiès, which is a polytechnic school.

Malick Sy high school is another major institution. It is the largest school in the city. It is also one of the largest in all of Senegal. Many Senegalese politicians were trained there. The school has produced many winners of the Senegalese General Contest. There is also the École Française Docteur René Guillet. This is a French international school.

Today, Thiès continues to grow and change. It is becoming an extension of the busy Cap-Vert Peninsula. The city is attracting new industrial investments. These include mechanical and electrical engineering. There are plans to connect Thiès to Dakar more closely. These plans include a new highway and a commuter train. Visitors can also explore local culture. The city has a museum and an artisanal and crafts village. You can even see some remains of old fortifications.