The colony is perhaps only remembered by philatelists, since it issued a number of postage stamps during its short existence. The first issue was part of the 1906 omnibus issue of the French West Africa, consisting of 17 stamps in three designs: portraits of Louis Faidherbe, Eugene Ballay, and an oil palm, with values ranging from 1 centime to 5 francs. Another series of 17 followed in 1914, all of same design - a camel with its rider - but each printed in a different pair of colors.
In addition, in 1915 the 10c stamp of 1914 was surcharged an additional 5c and sold as a semi-postal stamp. Sets of postage due stamps were also issued in 1906 and 1914. Stamps of French Sudan superseded all of these in 1921.
Most types are commonly available today, with only the franc denominations of the 1906 stamps costing collectors over 10 US$.
It embraces the upper and middle course of the Niger, the whole of the basin of the Senegal and the southwestern part of the Sahara.
Among the chief towns are Timbuktu and Jenne on the Niger, Porto Novo in Dahomey, and St Louis and Dakar in Senegal, Dakar being an important naval and commercial port.
The colony of Senegal is represented in the French parliament by one deputy.
Mandingos inhabit the basins of the upperNiger and the upperSenegal, and the western slope of the mountains of Futa Jallon.
tract enclosed in the bend of the Niger.
The lakes or widenings of the Niger itself occupy vast areas; Lake Debo, the Lake of Horo, the Lake of Dauna, Lake Faguibini are all to the south or west of Timbuktu, and are permanent.
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