North Eastern Atlantic

The Atlantic west of Senegambia faces the Cape Verd peninsula and the Petite Côte. At Rufisque, Portudal and Joal, merchants from inland met traders who came by sea. Portuguese settlers formed communities along the shore, while Dutch and French companies competed for positions such as Gorée Island. A French fleet captured Gorée from the Dutch in 1677; the island's sheltered position made it useful to ships engaged in the commerce of the neighbouring coast.