Pikine


Pikine is a city and the capital of the Pikine department, in the Dakar region in Senegal. The largest suburb of Senegalese capital Dakar, at the 2013 Census, it had a population of 1,170,791. It is the second-largest city in Senegal, behind Dakar.

History

Situated on a former French military base, illegal immigrants were sent to the site of Pikine in the early 1950s to ease a growing housing crisis in the Cap-Vert. Incorporated by colonial officials in 1952, the community's fast growth caused it to surpass its legal boundaries and urbanize, and had a population on 50,000 by the end of the 1950s.
More people moved to the city from eastern rural towns during the 1970s for job opportunities, growing from 30,000 people in 1960, to 650,000 by 1988.
Since the 1980s, the city has been unzoned. In 1998, Pikine was described by essayist as a city "without a real history".
Pikine is separated into two: 'regular' Pikine, and 'irregular' Pikine. 'Regular' Pikine encompasses development before the 1970s, while 'irregular' Pikine are the post-1970s shanty town.
The Mbeubeusse Landfill, the Dakar region's sole waste facility, is situated in Pikine.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Pikine is lackluster and has three hospitals to serve its population. The local dog population—mainly strays belonging to children—is infected with rabies, and in 1987, 500 dogs were vaccinated for the virus.

Transportation

Pikine has three roads, which often get congested. Its primary forms of transportation are buses and car rapides.

Culture

The people of Pikine are known by the demonym 'Pikinois'.
Pikine is home to football club AS Pikine, who play at Stade Al Djigo in Pikine.
The national stadium for Senegalese wrestling is located in Pikine, and seats 20,000.
Africulturban, a cultural center, is located in Pikine. It was founded by rapper Matador.

Notable people

  • Papa Malick Ba, footballer
  • Mouhamed Barro, basketball player
  • Gee Bayss, DJ
  • Pape Abou Cissé, footballer
  • Fallou Diagne, footballer
  • Mbaye Diagne, military officer
  • Papé Diakité, footballer
  • Pape Moussa Diakhatè, footballer
  • Moussa Diallo, footballer
  • Aïssatou Diamanka-Besland, writer
  • Doudou Diaw, footballer
  • Bamba Dieng, footballer
  • Cheikhou Dieng, footballer
  • Oumar Diouck, footballer
  • Amara Diouf, footballer
  • Pape Mour Faye, basketball playee
  • Ibrahima Gueye, footballer
  • Moussa Khoume Gueye, footballer
  • Abdou Guirassy, footballer
  • Mamadou Kassé Hann, hurdler
  • Amadou Hott, economist and investment banker
  • Alioune Kébé, footballer
  • Aboubakary Koïta, footballer
  • Andreas Manga, footballer
  • Matador, rapper
  • Pathé Mboup, footballer
  • Amath Ndiaye, footballer
  • Mamy Ndiaye, footballer
  • Momar Ndoye, footballer
  • Abdoulaye Niang, footballer
  • Joseph Niouky, footballer
  • Christian Sagna, footballer
  • Safietou Sagna, footballer
  • Kor Sarr, footballer and manager
  • Mamadou Seck, politician
  • Thione Seck, singer-songwriter
  • Talla Sylla, politician
  • Émile Thiakane, footballer
  • Zourdine Thior, footballer
  • Zargo Touré, footballer