Island of Gorée in the Distance

Photographer

Johnson, James

Date

• 1975

Summary

• The island of Gorée is situated in the bay about three miles east of Senegal. A part of the island located on a cliff was used as a fortress for centuries. The fortress changed hands many times throughout its history as major European powers fought for positions of control in West Africa. The island is known especially as a place from which slaves were detained and shipped to the Americas in the 19th century.