Brian Huskey, age 14, of Vancouver, Wash., for his question:

WHERE IS DAKAR?

Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal, a country located on the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Africa. Dakar is on the Cape Verde peninsula, the westernmost point of the African continent.

The port of Dakar is one of the finest in Africa. It is equipped with modern cargo handling facilities including warehouses, a fueling station and loading piers.

The strategic location of the city, at a point midway between Europe and South Africa and between Europe and South America, has made it an important air and maritime center.

Dakar is also the railroad and highway center of Senegal and in addition it is a connecting point with other important African cities.

The city is also an important fishing port, particularly for tuna.

Dakar was founded in 1857 by the French. During World War II it was controlled by the French Vichy government until the United States forces invaded North Africa and occupied the city from 1942 until the end of the war.