A people and Empire in far west Africa in early modern times. Their capital was at Linger (Linguère), about 152 miles (145 km.) east-northeast of the modern Senegalese capital of Dakar. The Wolof Empire was at it's peak in the early 16th century, when profitable trade was carried on with the Portuguese; but in 1549/56 a western province, Kayor, broke free, cutting off access to the sea - Wolof then slowly languished in the interior until being absorbed by French colonial interests in the late 19th century. Also called Dyolof.