The Gambia | history - geography | Britannica.com The Gambia Alternative Title: Republic of the Gambia The Gambia National anthem of The Gambia Official name multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [531]) Head of state and government President: Yahya Jammeh Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate Male: (2015) 63.9% Country Data Overview (PDF) The Gambia, country in western Africa situated on the Atlantic coast and surrounded by the neighbouring country of Senegal . It occupies a long narrow strip of land that surrounds the Gambia River . The land is flat and is dominated by the river, which is navigable throughout the length of the country. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The port of Banjul, near the mouth of the Gambia River, in The Gambia Kjell Johansson/Ostman Agency The peculiar shape and size of the country are the result of territorial compromises made during the 19th century by Great Britain, which controlled the lower Gambia River, and France , which ruled the neighbouring colony of Senegal.

Periodic talks in the 20th century to unite The Gambia and Senegal led to the short-lived Senegambia confederation (1982–89). The Gambia is Africa’s smallest non-island country; it is also one of Africa’s most densely populated countries. A few towns are located upriver, but most Gambians live in rural villages. The major ethnic groups are similar to those in Senegal and consist of the majority Malinke and also include Wolof , Fulani (Fulbe), Diola (Jola), and Soninke peoples. The Gambian economy is heavily dependent on peanut (groundnut) production and export. The country is known for the beaches along its small Atlantic coastline and for being home to Jufureh (Juffure), the reputed ancestral village of Kunta Kinte, the main character in Alex Haley ’s well-known novel Roots. The capital, Banjul (called Bathurst until 1973), is situated where the Gambia River flows into the Atlantic Ocean .

Land The Gambia is a strip of land 15 to 30 miles (25 to 50 km) wide on either side of the Gambia River and extends almost 300 miles (480 km) into the interior; except for a short coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, it is entirely surrounded by Senegal . Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. African Leaders: Part One The vegetation cover of The Gambia is savanna on the uplands, various kinds of inland swamp in the low-lying areas, and mangrove swamp along the brackish lower Gambia River. Few wild animals are native to the region, and those that survive are under pressure from the human and domestic animal populations. In the middle and upper river areas there are warthogs, monkeys, baboons, antelope, pygmy hippopotamuses, and crocodiles. In addition, more than 500 species of birds live throughout the country.

Birds and wildlife can be found in Bijilo Forest Park, along the Atlantic coast, the Abuko Nature Reserve, just upriver from Banjul, Kiang West National Park, farther inland, and River Gambia National Park (also known as Baboon Island National Park), near Kuntaur . People Ethnic groups The river basin was a focal point for migrating groups of people escaping the turmoil of western Sudanic wars dating from the 12th century. The Diola (Jola) are the people longest resident in the country; they are now located mostly in western Gambia. The largest group is the Malinke , comprising about two-fifths of the population. The Wolof , who are the dominant group in Senegal, also predominate in Banjul. The Fulani settled the extreme upriver areas, and their kingdom, Fuladu, became a major power in the late 19th century. The Soninke , an admixture of Malinke and Fulani, are also concentrated in the upriver areas. Girl carrying tray of fruit on her head, The Gambia.

Robin Laurance—Impact Photos/Heritage-Images Yundum English is the official language, but the most frequently spoken languages are generally of the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo family. Mandinka and Wolof constitute the lingua francas of the country, and other languages spoken include Pulaar (Fulbe), Serer , Diola, and Soninke. Some Muslim clerics are literate in Arabic. Religion The population is overwhelmingly Muslim. There are a small number of Christians—predominantly Roman Catholic—and some adherents of traditional beliefs. Settlement patterns Human settlement in The Gambia extends across both banks of the river and is found in three regions: the swamps adjacent to the river, the riverine flats, known as banto faros (from a Mande word meaning “beyond the swamp”), and the sandstone uplands. Most rural settlement is concentrated on the uplands, which have the best-drained soils. A number of settlements are located in the banto faros on the middle course of the river, where there is less danger of flooding than in the swamps. Many villages are built on the boundary between the uplands and the riverine flats.

More than one-fourth of the population lives in urban areas. The major urban concentration is around Banjul , the capital, and several large urban centres have developed in the vicinity. Urban dwellers retain close ties to their rural relatives, and there is considerable interaction between rural and urban populations. Migration to urban areas has remained steady since the 1970s. Demographic trends The population growth rate and infant mortality rate in The Gambia are among the highest in western Africa. Life expectancy is comparable to the regional average but lower than that of the world. Over the years, conflict in other western African countries has led to an influx of refugees into The Gambia, most notably those fleeing from fighting in Senegal’s Casamance region, as well as those who fled from civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone . Economy Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Gambian agriculture can be described as a classic monoculture; peanuts (groundnuts) are the most valuable agricultural commodity. Land is cleared by the slash-and-burn technique, but farmers practice conservation. Most land is held in common by the villagers.

There is a sharp division of labour, with men involved in planting, cultivating , and harvesting cash crops while women cultivate subsistence crops such as cassava (manioc), yams, eggplant, tomatoes, rice, and lentils. There are citrus orchards in the western area near Banjul. Men sifting peanuts in baskets, Georgetown, Gambia. Photo Research International The production of peanuts has increased with the wider use of fertilizers and ox-drawn equipment and the introduction of better seeds. In order to diversify the economy, the government has encouraged the production of rice. A pilot scheme was begun in the mid-1960s to introduce plantation oil palm production, but this has had little impact on the national economy. Stock farming, always a factor in the Fulani culture , has also received government support, but factors such as insufficient animal husbandry techniques and the scarcity of suitable pasture and water have limited the size of herds. The drought years of the 1970s and ’80s seriously damaged agricultural production, particularly upriver. The country was not as hard hit as other countries in the region, however, and recovery has been steady. Farmer harvesting rice, Kuntaur, Gambia.

Photo Research International Although the country’s small ocean coastline limits marine fishing, there is some potential for commercial fishing offshore and in the river. Most Gambians are not fishermen, but those who are have been handicapped by inadequate equipment. The government has offered small loans for the purchase of motorized fishing boats and the construction of smoke huts for the processing of bonga (shad, or West African herring), which is exported to other western African states. Resources and power The Gambia has very few exploited mineral deposits. Some amounts of clay, sand, and gravel are excavated for local use. Foreign investors have been granted licenses to explore offshore blocks for potential petroleum and natural gas reserves, but these actions have not yet yielded any production. The Gambia River holds hydroelectric potential, but there are no dams on the river within the country’s borders. Oil is imported to meet the country’s energy needs. Electricity is limited to parts of Banjul and a few interior towns but is sporadic at best; most Gambians do not have access to modern infrastructure . Manufacturing The most significant industry in the country is peanut processing.

The crop is sold to agents of The Gambia Groundnut Corporation (until 1993 known as the Gambia Produce Marketing Board), which fixes the season’s price in advance, pays the producers in cash, and sells the crop overseas. The agents arrange for transportation of the peanuts to Banjul or Kuntaur, where the nuts are shelled before being shipped. After shelling, a large part of the crop is pressed into oil at pressing mills. The residue is used as cattle cake. The construction industry has grown in correlation with the growth of the tourism sector. Smaller industries include the manufacture of food products, beverages, textiles, footwear, and wood products. Handicraft and other small-scale local craft production exists in villages throughout the country. Peanut warehouse in Banjul, Gambia. Flip Chalfant—The Image Bank/Getty Images Finance and trade The Central Bank of The Gambia issues the national currency, the dalasi. There are several private banks in the country as well. The Gambia previously had a relatively large volume of trade for such a small country. In the early 1980s, however, the country had a yearly adverse balance of trade reflecting the losses caused by drought.

The trade deficit continued into the 1990s and 2000s. More and more people, especially young men, have migrated to the urban area around Banjul, and this has led to a decrease in peanut production. Besides peanuts, The Gambia’s exports include cotton, rice, and cattle. In addition, the reexportation of goods constitutes a considerable portion of the country’s export trade. All manufactured items must be imported; other imports include petroleum products, lumber, and cement. Trading partners include China , the countries of the European Union , and Japan. Senegal is also a significant partner, although much of the trade is unofficial, and the smuggling of peanuts and other goods into Senegal is a problem. The Gambia is highly dependent on foreign aid. Services Tourism has grown in importance and is a major source of foreign exchange. Tourists originally came from Europe, attracted by the country’s beaches, diverse birdlife, and pleasant climate between October and April. Tourism declined after the 1994 coup, but efforts to revive it had met with some success by the end of the 1990s.

The International Roots Festival, an annual heritage celebration created in 1996, attracts members of the African diaspora from around the world. Several luxury hotels have been built near Banjul. Jufureh, a village upriver from Banjul made famous by the American writer Alex Haley in Roots (1976), is a popular tourist attraction. Transportation The Gambia River has historically been the chief route between the interior and the coast, but a modern all-weather road now reaches the eastern border and parallels the river on both sides; there are secondary roads throughout the country as well. The majority of The Gambia’s roads are not paved. Ferries cross the river at Banjul and at various points where there are no bridges, and small watercraft are common means of transport. There are no railways and no domestic air services, although The Gambia International Airlines flies out of the international airport located at Yundum, southwest of Banjul. The main port is at Banjul. Government and society Constitutional framework The Gambia is a multiparty republic.

Under the constitution that was ratified 1996 and went into effect in 1997, the president, who is the head of state and government, is elected by universal suffrage to a five-year term. The president appoints the vice president and cabinet members. Legislative power is held by the National Assembly , comprising 53 members who serve five-year terms. The majority of members are elected, while five are appointed by the president. Local government The Gambia is organized into Local Government Areas (LGA), each of which either is coterminous with a long-standing administrative unit known as a division or corresponds with roughly half of a division. The city of Banjul and the Kanifing Municipality each form a separate LGA. Most decision making is done at the village level by traditional leaders and councils of elders. Only serious or contentious matters are referred to district or government bodies. Justice An independent judiciary is guaranteed under the constitution. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court. Other venues include the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Special Criminal Court, and there are Magistrate Courts and tribunals at lower levels.

The Gambia’s judicial system also provides for the implementation of Sharīʿah (Islamic law) in the venue known as the Cadi Court; this court can be used by the Muslim community to resolve such issues as marriage, divorce, and matters affecting dependents. Political process The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which had been the dominant political party since independence, fell from power after the 1994 coup. Since 1996 the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction has been the dominant party. In addition to the PPP, which remains active, other opposition parties include the Gambia People’s Party , the National Democratic Action Movement, the Peoples’ Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism, and the United Democratic Party . The constitution provides for universal suffrage for citizens 18 years and older. Although women have held legislative seats and cabinet positions, their numbers have been few. Security The Gambian National Army is relatively small. The army has a limited marine unit and an air wing. Service is voluntary, although the constitution provides for the option of conscription. The Gambia’s military forces have participated in various international peacekeeping missions, including serving as United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in several countries.

Health and welfare Although improvement has been made since independence, the overall health conditions in The Gambia are poor. Inadequate sanitation is a problem for more than half of the population, and about one-third of the people do not have access to safe drinking water. Malaria poses the most significant health threat; other parasitic diseases and tuberculosis are also common health problems. The Gambia has a lower prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS than many other African countries, although it appeared to be increasing among younger women during the 2000s. Many health-care facilities—general hospitals, health centres, dispensaries, and maternity and child-care clinics—tend to be centred around Banjul, but there are other hospitals and numerous clinics throughout the country. The Medical Research Council at Fajara investigates tropical diseases. Traditional healers are commonly consulted, especially in rural areas. A long-standing shortage of health-care workers in The Gambia adversely affects the staffing of medical facilities, particularly in rural areas. To address this problem, in 1999 the government established a medical school in the country to train its own doctors. Housing Examples of colonial residential architecture can be found in Banjul, but most dwellings are single-story and are made of wood.

Family compounds tend to be spread out over a large area with an inner courtyard. Outside the city centre sprawling shantytowns have been growing rapidly as more people migrate to the capital from the interior. In upcountry towns, concrete buildings of one or two stories with tin roofs predominate. Villages consist mostly of round mud huts with thatched roofs, with a few single-story concrete buildings with tin roofs. Housing supply has not been able to keep pace with The Gambia’s population growth. As a result, overcrowding and congestion occur in both rural and urban areas, particularly in the latter, and these conditions contributed to the growth of slums at the end of the 20th century. Education Education at the primary level is free but not compulsory. There are secondary and postsecondary schools, including a teacher-training college at Brikama . The government established the country’s first university, the University of The Gambia, in 1999. Prior to that, Gambian students seeking higher education had to leave the country, many of them traveling to Sierra Leone, Ghana , Britain , or the United States .

Cultural life Daily life and social customs The Gambia has long been home to several different ethnic groups who have maintained their individual cultural traditions; as such, the country has a rich heritage. In the past, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, leatherworkers, weavers, textile dyers, and other artisans were found in all of the region’s societies. Weavers and textile dyers still make distinctive cloth throughout the country; The Gambia is noted for its indigo-dyed cloth in particular. Some drum and kora (a complex stringed instrument) makers are still active, and recordings have been made of their traditional music. Gambian musician playing the kora, a complex stringed instrument. Hilarie Kavanagh—Stone/Getty Images Gambian cuisine is nearly identical to Senegalese cooking. Staples include millet, rice, yams, plantains, and cassava (manioc). Fish, both dried and fresh, as well as sauces made from fish and peanuts dominate the diet throughout the country. Millet and rice porridges are often served as breakfast. Gambians—especially those in Banjul and upcountry towns—wear both traditional West African clothing as well as European-style dress.

Gambian women often sport elaborate head wraps and flowing caftans on the streets of the capital and in rural villages. Men typically wear traditional shirts and Western pants, but on Fridays and Muslim holidays they wear traditional Arab dress and skullcaps, especially when going to mosque. Muslim holidays, including Tobaski (also known as ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā , marking the culmination of the hajj rites near Mecca) and Koriteh (also known as ʿĪd al-Fiṭr , marking the end of Ramadan ), and Christian holidays, including Christmas and Easter , are observed in The Gambia. In addition, other holidays celebrated in the country include Independence Day, on February 18, and the Anniversary of the Second Republic, on July 22. The arts Dance and music, traditionally tied to village activities, are still important today. Regular shows are held, especially at harvest time and during the dry season when there is less agricultural work to be done. The musical performances of traditional West African troubadour-historians known as griots (Wolof gewels) not only provide entertainment but also serve to preserve cultural traditions, oral genealogies, and historical narratives.

Praise songs are also part of the griot’s repertoire . The griots of The Gambia, many of whom play the kora, were made famous by Alex Haley ’s Roots (1976). Cultural institutions The Gambia National Library is located in Banjul. The Gambia National Museum, also in Banjul, houses various ethnographic collections that include artifacts , historical documents, and photographs. Other museums in the country include a natural history and culture museum in Tanji and a small regional slave trade museum at Jufureh, which is part of the James Island and Related Sites UNESCO World Heritage site (designated in 2003). There is a museum in Wassu devoted to the stone circles of Senegambia (collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006). The circles, made of laterite pillars, are positioned near burial mounds. Two of the four stone circle sites are located in the country along the Gambia River near Wassu and Kerabatch and have been dated to the 10th and 11th centuries; the other two sites are in neighbouring Senegal.

Sports and recreation Gambians, like other West Africans, are enthusiastic football (soccer) fans, and the country has a national football team. In virtually every town and village, there is a field or open space for playing football. The Gambia also has a national cricket team. Other popular sports include basketball and track and field (athletics). There are some local softball teams, mostly near Banjul. Traditional wrestling is especially popular throughout the country. Matches involve music, dance, costumes, and much spectacle and draw large crowds. The Gambia participates in several international sporting competitions. It made its Olympic debut at the 1976 Games in Montreal, and some individual track and field athletes compete in the African Games and the Commonwealth Games . Banjul and its environs have numerous film theatres, and American action films and Indian movies are especially popular. Bars and nightclubs exist in the major towns. Media and publishing The Gambia Daily is published by the government. There are also privately owned publications, such as The Daily Express, Foroyaa (“Freedom”), The Point, and The Daily Observer.

Radio Gambia, run by the government, broadcasts in English, French, Swedish, and various Gambian languages; there are also private radio stations operating in the country, providing news and music programming. Access to television in The Gambia is limited. A government station (established in 1996) broadcasts several hours a day, and other programming often comes from neighbouring Senegal and satellite networks. Although The Gambia’s constitution provides for freedom of the press, media freedom in the country is severely inhibited . Laws passed since the mid-1990s have introduced harsh restrictions on the media, including expensive licensing fees, jail terms for journalists found guilty of libel or sedition , and hefty fines for individuals and organizations not in compliance with media-related rules and regulations. Many journalists have been harassed or arrested. Nonetheless, some independent media outlets continue to publish materials critical of the government. The Gambia - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) The long, narrow shape of The Gambia is the result of a long colonial rivalry between France and Great Britain. During the 19th century, both nations struggled to control a large section of territory at the western bulge of the African continent.

In the late 1890s, the French incorporated the territory that would become Senegal into French West Africa. The British claimed a relatively narrow strip of land cut in two by the Gambia River and named the colony for the river. Although it previously had been administered as a colony in conjunction with Sierra Leone, The Gambia became an official British protectorate in 1894. It remained under British control until 1965, when it won its independence. Area 4,491 square miles (11,632 square kilometers.) Population (2016 est.) 2,089,000. Article Contributors About Us | Banjul, The Gambia - Embassy of the United States Banjul, The Gambia - Embassy of the United States About Us Welcome Message Welcome to the Embassy of the United States of America in Banjul, The Gambia. Located on Kairaba Avenue in the Fajara District of Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia, the U.S. Mission consists of two U.S.

Government agencies: the Department of State, with 9 American and 65 locally employed staff, and the Peace Corps, with 3 American staff and 105 volunteers. The Gambia became independent in 1965. It is a small, poor West African country defined by the Gambia River basin. It is almost completely surrounded by Senegal, a country with which it shares many historical, ethnic, and cultural affinities. However, the British colonized The Gambia, and the French colonized Senegal, giving each country a distinctive colonial language and system of government. Since independence, The Gambia has remained a member of the British Commonwealth. The Gambia is predominantly Muslim and has a population of 1.3 million, of which about half are non-Gambians. Restoration of democracy. From independence in 1965 until a coup d’état in 1994, The Gambia was one of the few functioning democracies in Africa. Following the coup, the restoration of democratic rule required seven years.

In late 2001 and early 2002, The Gambia completed a full cycle of presidential, legislative, and local elections, which international observers deemed generally free and fair, despite some irregularities. President Yahya Jammeh, who had seized power in 1994, was duly elected president in October 2001. Lifting of bilateral sanctions. In March 2002, the U.S. Government determined that a democratically elected government had assumed office in The Gambia. The U.S. thus lifted the sanctions it had imposed under Section 508 of the Foreign Assistance Act as a result of the 1994 coup. Modest bilateral development assistance and military assistance has resumed. Even under sanctions, the U.S. had continued humanitarian, democracy-building, and education assistance, as well as a large Peace Corps program. A weak economy. With an annual per capita income of less than $300 and a GDP of $389 million, The Gambia ranks among the world’s poorest countries. It has a liberal economy based on subsistence agriculture, tourism, and re-exports. The main cash crop is peanuts. It may have untapped oil and gas reserves.

AGOA eligibility. The Gambia qualified for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in January 2003 and re-qualified in January 2004. It is eager to increase exports to the U.S. market, though it lacks the industrial or agro-industrial basis necessary to produce most exportable products. Poor public health. Major health problems include malaria, reproductive health care, and HIV/AIDS, although seroprevalence remains low (HIV1 = 1.2%, HIV2 = 0.9%) compared to many other African countries. Despite the government’s focus on public health and education, hospitals and schools continue to be poorly equipped and under funded. Positive shift in foreign policy. Following the 1994 coup, The Gambia turned toward Libya and other problem states for aid. The U.K., the EU, and, much later, the U.S. renewed their assistance programs. Since 2001, The Gambia has re-oriented its foreign policy in a more positive direction. War on terrorism. President Jammeh publicly condemns tribalism, terrorism, and religious extremism, including Islamic fundamentalism.

The Gambian government has provided steadfast, tangible support for the war on terrorism. Although The Gambia once served as a transit point for illicit arms, conflict diamonds, and narcotics, such trafficking is no longer officially tolerated. This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. The Gambia - West Africa - Nations Online Project Country Profile Background: The Gambia is a strip of land 15 to 30 miles (25 to 50 kilometres) wide and 295 miles long on either bank of the Gambia River; except for a short coastline, it is surrounded by Senegal. Its unusual shape and size are attributable to territorial compromises arising from 19th-century Anglo-French rivalry in western Africa. (from "Gambia, The." Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2006) After 200 years of British colonial rule The Gambia gained its independence in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989.

In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections. Yahya Jammeh was defeated by Adama Barrow, a politician from the United Democratic Party, in the 2016 election. (Sources: CIA - The World Factbook and others) Gambia: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities National Holiday: Independence Day, February 18 Literacy rate: 52% (2012 est.) Economic summary: GDP/PPP $3.362 billion (2014 est.); per capita: $1,700 (2014 est.).

Real growth rate: 7.4%. Inflation: 5.6%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 43.48%. Agriculture: rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats. Labor force: 777,100 (2007) agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%. Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing. Natural resources: fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum. Exports: $107.4 million (2014 est.): peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, reexports. Imports: $353.1 million (2014 est.): foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment. Major trading partners: India, China, Senegal, Brazil, (2013).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 64,200 (2012); mobile cellular: 1.526 million (2012). Broadcast media: state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 4 privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; foreign cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2007). Internet hosts: 656 (2012). Internet users: 130,100 (2009). Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 3,742 km; paved: 723 km; unpaved: 3,019 km (2004). Waterways: 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2010). Ports and harbors: Banjul. Airports: 1 (2013).

International disputes: attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region as well as from conflicts in other west African states. Plot Fails to Overthrow President Jammeh Geography Situated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost Africa and surrounded on three sides by Senegal, Gambia is twice the size of Delaware. The Gambia River flows for 200 mi (322 km) through Gambia on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent, averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width. Government Republic. History Since the 13th century, the Wolof, Malinke, and Fulani peoples have settled in what is now Gambia. The Portuguese were the first European explorers, encountering the Gambia River in 1455, and in 1681, the French founded an enclave at Albredabut. During the 17th century, Gambia was settled by various companies of English merchants. Slavery was the chief source of revenue before it was abolished in 1807.

Gambia became a British Crown colony in 1843 and an independent nation within the Commonwealth of Nations on Feb. 18, 1965. Full independence was approved in a 1970 referendum, and on April 24 of that year Gambia proclaimed itself a republic. Dauda Kairaba Jawara served as Gambia's president from 1970 to 1994. A military coup led by Capt. Yahya Jammeh deposed the president in July 1994, suspended the constitution, and banned existing political parties. Jammeh promised new elections, which were held in Sept. 1996 and which he won with 55% of the vote. In 1997, he returned the country to civilian rule, and in 2001, he lifted the ban against opposition parties. Censorship of the press and other repressive measures mar the country's transition to democracy. In Dec. 2004, Gambia passed a media law that allows the state to jail journalists found guilty of libel and sedition. In September presidential elections, incumbent Yahya Jammeh won a third term. In Nov.

2011 presidential elections, incumbent Yahya Jammeh won 72% of the vote, Ousainou Darboe 17%, and Hamat Bah 11% with 83% voter turnout. Gambia | Define Gambia at Dictionary.com Gambia a river in W Africa, flowing W to the Atlantic. 500 miles (800 km) long. 2. The, a republic extending inland along both sides of this river: formerly a British crown colony and protectorate; gained independence 1965; member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 4003 sq. mi. (10,368 sq. km). Capital: Banjul. Examples from the Web for Gambia Expand Contemporary Examples The Amazon biography for an author named Papa Faal mentions both Gambia and lists a military record that matches the FBI report. Historical Examples Moor (Francis) factor to the African company, his account of the slave-trade on the river Gambia, 111. Contains the report of the Governor of the Gambia on the Provisional stamps of 1906. Gambia Frederick John Melville British Dictionary definitions for Gambia Expand noun 1.

The Gambia, a republic in W Africa, entirely surrounded by Senegal except for an outlet to the Atlantic: sold to English merchants by the Portuguese in 1588; became a British colony in 1843; gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth in 1965; joined with Senegal to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); consists of a strip of land about 16 km (10 miles) wide, on both banks of the Gambia River, extending inland for about 480 km (300 miles). Official language: English. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: dalasi. Capital: Banjul. Pop: 1 883 051 (2013 est). Area: 11 295 sq km (4361 sq miles) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Gambia - definition of Gambia by The Free Dictionary Gambia - definition of Gambia by The Free Dictionary Gam·bi·a or The Gam·bi·a (găm′bē-ə) A country of western Africa lying along the Gambia River and surrounded, except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, by Senegal. Once a part of the Mali Empire, it became a British crown colony in 1843 and a British protectorate in 1894. Gambia achieved independence in 1965. From 1982 to 1989 it formed with Senegal the Confederation of Senegambia. Banjul is the capital and the largest city. Gam′bi·an adj. & n.

Gambia (ˈɡæmbɪə) n (Placename) The Gambia a republic in W Africa, entirely surrounded by Senegal except for an outlet to the Atlantic: sold to English merchants by the Portuguese in 1588; became a British colony in 1843; gained independence and was a member of the Commonwealth between 1965 and 2013; joined with Senegal to form the Confederation of Senegambia (1982–89); consists of a strip of land about 16 km (10 miles) wide, on both banks of the Gambia River, extending inland for about 480 km (300 miles). Official language: English. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: dalasi. Capital: Banjul. Pop: 1 883 051 (2013 est). Area: 11 295 sq km (4361 sq miles) Gam•bi•a (ˈgæm bi ə) n. 1. a river in W Africa, flowing W to the Atlantic. 500 mi. (800 km) long. 2.

The, a republic in W Africa: formerly a British crown colony and protectorate; gained independence 1965; member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 1,336,320; 4003 sq. mi. (10,368 sq. km). Cap.: Banjul. Gam′bi•an, adj., n. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Home Page Close A Glimpse of The Gambia and Senegal Home Page The Gambia The People Faces of West Africa Senegal Ngor Island Our Paradise Island The Pink Lake Culture and Arts Kachikally Museum Art and Crafts The Markets Africa's Dark Past Goree Island Juffureh Village James Island Contact Us Guestbook Welcome to My West African Journey I designed this website to share with my friends and family my wonderful trip to Africa. I never thought I would ever get to take a trip like this, and I absolutely fell in love with the countries I visited and people I met there. From the time I headed to BWI airport, to the time I arrived back in the USA, was one magnificent adventure after another.

It means so much to me to be able to share some of this adventure with you, here on this website. I hope you enjoy traveling with me through this small part of West Africa. Where in the World is "The Gambia"? That's the question I asked. I was told told it was a little country in-between northern and southern Senegal, I immediately went to Google it. And yep! That's just what it was; this little tiny strip of a country completely surrounded on three sides by Senegal, and on the fourth side by the Atlantic Ocean. And there going right half way through the middle of the country is The Gambia River. The map below will give you a better idea of just where this little country is located. Please Sign My Guestbook Please visit the guest book page, so I will know you were here! So thank you for visiting here for a while. Enjoy the pictures as I have tried to share my vision of what I saw and the things I did.

Gambia - Atlapedia® Online SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT: Multiparty Republic AREA: 11,295 Sq Km (4,361 Sq Mi) ESTIMATED 2000 POPULATION 1,278,700 LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY: Gambia is located on the west coast of Africa. It is completely surrounded by Senegal to the north, east, and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is a narrow strip of low lying land that is covered in thick mangrove swamps below the lower half of the Gambia River. The country can be divided into three topographical regions. (1.) The valley floor with built up alluvial areas known as Bango Faros. (2.) A dissected plateau with sandy hills alternating with broad valleys and (3.) a sandstone plateau which in parts extends into Senegal. The principal river is the Gambia. Major Cities (pop. est.); Greater Banjul 270,500, Serekunda 102,600, Brikama 24,300 (1986).

Land Use; forested 28%, pastures 9%, agricultural-cultivated 18%, other 45% (1993). CLIMATE: Gambia has a tropical climate with a hot wet season between June to October alternating with a cool dry season from November to April. During the dry season the Harmattan, a dry and dust laden wind blows from the Sahara Desert in the northeast. Average annual precipitation in Banjul is 1,295 mm (51 inches) and average temperature ranges are from 15 to 31 degrees Celsius (59 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 23 to 32 degrees Celsius (73 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) in June. PEOPLE: The principal ethnic majority are the Mandinka who account for 40% of the population while the Fulani account for 19%, the Wolof for 15%, the Pyola for 10%, the Soninke for 8% and others including non-Gambians account for around 8%. The non-Gambians include British, Syrians, Lebanese and Asians.

DEMOGRAPHIC/VITAL STATISTICS: Density; 103 persons per sq km (266 persons per sq mi) (1991). Urban-Rural; 21.5% urban, 78.5% rural (1988). Sex Distribution; 49.4% male, 50.6% female (1990). Life Expectancy at Birth; 41.4 years male, 44.6 years female (1990). Age Breakdown; 44% under 15, 25% 15 to 29, 16% 30 to 44, 10% 45 to 59, 5% 60 and over (1990). Birth Rate; 47.4 per 1,000 (1990). Death Rate; 21.4 per 1,000 (1990). Increase Rate; 26.0 per 1,000 (1990).

Infant Mortality Rate; 143.0 per 1,000 live births (1990). RELIGIONS: Around 85% of the population are Sunni Muslims while Christians are estimated to account for less than 4% of the population with the remainder following local native tribal beliefs. LANGUAGES: The official language is English, although less than 2% of the population can speak it while the national languages are Wolof, Fula and Madinka. EDUCATION: Aged 20 or over and having attained: no formal schooling 90.8%, primary 6.2%, secondary 2.6%, higher 0.4% (1973). Literacy; literate population aged 15 or over 27.2% (1990). MODERN HISTORY - WWII TO 1993: Gambia gained internal self government from Britain in 1963 and gained complete independence on Feb. 18, 1965. On Apr. 24, 1970 Gambia became a republic.

Since 1970 tourism has grown rapidly, however, many droughts have reduced agricultural production and seriously damaged Gambia's economy. In 1972 a constitutional amendment provided for the election of the President by the people which resulted in the election of Sir Dawda Jawara. In July 1981 troops from Senegal put down a coup attempt against the Gambian government. In Feb. 1982 Gambia and Senegal, who have always had close relations, formed a confederation which, like the earlier British colony, was called Senegambia. The confederation reaffirmed the close economic ties between the two countries and united their armed forces. However, the confederation collapsed in Sept. 1989 when Gambia sought greater powers. On Jan. 8, 1991 Gambia and Senegal signed a Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation which replaced the former confederation agreement. On Feb. 18, 1991 Pres. Dawda Jawara pardoned all the prisoners implicated in the coup attempt of 1981. In Dec. 1991 Pres.

Jawara announced his intention to resign, although later reversed his decision at the request of his People's Progressive Party (PPP). On Feb. 14, 1992 Pres. Jawara announced presidential and legislative elections for April 29, 1992. The elections resulted in Pres. Jawara being re-elected for his 5th term as president while the PPP won the majority of seats in legislative elections. On May 11, 1992 Pres. Jawara announced a new government and appointed the former economic affairs minister, Saihou S. Sabally, vice president. In July 192 some 1,300 Senegalese refugees sought refuge in Gambia as a result of fighting in the Casamance region in Senegal. In Mar. 1993 there were further influxes of Senegalese refugees from the Casamance province. On April 7, 1993 Gambia officially abolished the death penalty, although since its introduction upon independence only one had been carried out.

In April 1993 the leader's of the banned Movement for Justice Party in Africa party from the abortive 1981 coup attempt returned to reactivate the legalized party. In June 1993 the government announced a new weekly service for Gambia Airways to London and in Aug. 1993 an agreement was reached with the British Overseas Development Administration for 1 million pounds for English language and mathematics teacher training. CURRENCY: The official currency is the Dalasi (D) divided into 100 Bututs. ECONOMY: Gross National Product; USD $372,000,000 (1993). Public Debt; USD $348,800,000 (1993). Imports; D 2,363,486,000 (1993). Exports; D 543,751,000 (1993). Tourism Receipts; USD $26,000,000 (1993). Balance of Trade; D -1,675,900,000 (1992).

Economically Active Population; 412,000 or 47.2% of total population (1992). Unemployed; N/A. MAIN TRADING PARTNERS: Its main trading partners are the UK, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Senegal. MAIN PRIMARY PRODUCTS: Cassava, Cattle, Fish, Ground Nuts, Millet, Palm Kernels, Rice, Timber. MAJOR INDUSTRIES: Agriculture, Fishing, Food Processing, Forestry. MAIN EXPORTS: Fish, Ground Nuts and Processed Products, Hides and Skins. TRANSPORT: Railroads; nil. Roads; length 2,388 km (1,484 mi) (1986). Vehicles; cars 5,500 (1989), trucks and buses 1,000 (1989). Merchant Marine; vessels 8 (1990), deadweight tonnage 1,651 (1990). Air Transport; N/A. COMMUNICATIONS: Daily Newspapers; total of 2 with a circulation of 2,000 (1992).

Radio; receivers 140,000 (1994). Television; nil. Telephones; units 16,300 (1993). MILITARY: 800 (1994) total active duty personnel while military expenditure accounts for 0.8% (1993) of the Gross National Product (GNP). Google Map of Banjul, The Gambia - Nations Online Project About Banjul Satellite view is showing Banjul (until 1973 known as Bathurst), the capital of The Gambia , a narrow strip of land extending 325 km (200 mi) from its small coastline eastward along both banks of the lower course of the Gambia River. Banjul ferry Image: Niels Broekzitter The smallest country on mainland Africa has an area of 11,295 km², it is about the size of one third of Belgium or slightly less than twice the size of Delaware. The country is surrounded completely by Senegal . In the beginning of the 19th century, the British, who ruled slave trade illegal in 1807, established Bathurst on St.

Mary island (Banjul island) to combat the trade of African slaves (before that time they were themselve profoundly involved in the trade). Banjul is located just 14 km east of the country's largest city Serrekunda (Sara Job Kunda) on Banjul Island (or St. Mary's Island) on the Gambia River estuary to the Atlantic Ocean. The port city has a core population of about 35,000 inhabitants, but more than 500,000 live in its metropolitan area. The majority of the people are Muslims (90%). Spoken languages are English (official), Mandinka, Fula, Wolof and other West-African languages. The City of Banjul is the administrative, economic, and transport center of the nation, and is home to the Central Bank of the Gambia. Attractions for visitors are the Gambia National Museum, Arch 22, the distinctive gateway to Gambia's capital, and there is Albert Market, a big traditionel Gambian market.

12 km west of Banjul lies Bakau a seaside resort at the Atlantic Ocean with beaches at Cape Point, the town is known for its botanical gardens and for the sacred crocodile pool of Bakau Kachikally. The map shows a city map of Banjul with expressways, main roads and streets, zoom out to find the location of Banjul International Airport (Yundum International) ( IATA code : BJL) about 26 km (16 mi) southwest of the city center. To find a location use the form below. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country. Local Time The Gambia: West Africa Time (WAT): UTC / GMT +1 h φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Google Earth: Searchable Map and Satellite view of Banjul, Gambia. City Coordinates: 13°27′11″N 16°34′39″W Bookmark/share this page

Question: The Gambia is entirely surrounded by which other African country?
Answer: Senegal