This lightly populated region in the southeast part of the country is far from Senegal’s population centres and has limited agricultural potential. A large part of this area falls within the Niokolo-Koba National Park, which contains some of the most unspoiled arid and semiarid types of flora and fauna left in Africa.

Exposed ancient rock formations yield Senegal’s only mineral resources. Numerous metallic and non-metallic minerals, including gold, iron, marble, diamonds, copper, uranium, and manganese, have been found. Several new mining towns have appeared, and newly paved roads are opening the region for development.