Senegal is in West Africa with its western part facing the Atlantic. Because of its geographical location, Gorée Island was the center of the African slave trade. A museum exhibiting how then slaves were traded is located in this Gorée Island. This museum was also designated by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage site in 1982. Many worldwide famous poets, writers, sport athletes, movie directors and musicians were born in Senegal. Cheikh Anta Diop (29 December 1923–7 February 1986) who studied pre-imperialism African history is considered to be the best African historian in the 20 Century. Leopold Senghor (9 October 1906 – 20 December 2001) became the first president of Senegal and as a poet he wrote about black Africans’ sprit and cultures. The most prominent figures in African film, Ousmane Sembene (January 1, 1923 — June 9, 2007) successfully dramatized strong African women’s life, African struggle and Senegal’s social problem in his film. Senegal is also a native country for Akon whose music albums were on the American as well as diverse Europe charts. Cheebu Jen made of rice and fish is Senegal’s representative food.