Saint-Louis

Saint-Louis (săN-lwē), city (1988 pop. 160,689), NW Senegal, a port at the mouth of the Senegal River. The terminus of a railroad from Dakar, it is a fishing, trade, and export center for peanuts, hides, and skins. The oldest French colonial settlement in Africa, Saint-Louis was founded (1638) on an island in the river as a trade base. In 1659 a French fort was built there. Except for brief periods (1758–79; 1809–15) of British rule, it was the capital of all French possessions in W Africa and capital of French West Africa from its inception (1895) until 1902. Saint-Louis was subsequently (1902–58) capital of both Senegal and Mauritania. It has declined since independence but remains an important administrative, tourist, and trading center.

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Saint-Louis

a port in NW Senegal, on an island at the mouth of the Senegal River: the first French settlement in W Africa (1689); capital of Senegal until 1958. Pop.: 183 000 (2005 est.)

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Saint-Louis 

a city in northeastern France, in Alsace, in Haut-Rhin Department. Located on the Swiss border near Basel, on the Rhône-Rhine Canal. Population, 15,000 (1968). Saint-Louis manufactures machine tools and chemical and textile products.

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Saint-Louis 

a city and port on southwestern Réunion Island. Population, 30,000 (1973). There is a railroad station in the city. Saint-Louis has sugar, tobacco, and canned-fruit industries.

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Saint-Louis 

a city in northwestern Senegal, on the island of Saint-Louis. Capital of Fleuve Region. Population, 75,000 (1973). Saint-Louis is a river port situated near the mouth of the Sénégal River. A highway junction, the city is linked by railroad with Dakar and has an airport. Saint-Louis is a trading and distribution center in the Sénégal Valley. It has fishing and cottage industries. Founded in 1658–59 by the French, the city was the capital of Senegal until 1958.