Background: The Gambia gained its independence from the UK 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 new 1996 constitution and presidential
elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, have completed a
nominal return to civilian rule.
Government type: republic under
multiparty democratic rule
Capital: Banjul
Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Geography of The Gambia
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
Area:
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,300 sq km
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season
(November to May)
Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 9%
forests and woodland: 28%
other: 45% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years
Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification;
water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the
continent of Africa
People of The Gambia
A wide variety of ethnic groups live in The Gambia with a minimum of
intertribal friction, each preserving its own language and traditions. The
Mandinka tribe is the largest, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, and
Serahuli. Approximately 2,500 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including
Europeans and families of Lebanese origin.
Muslims constitute more than 92% of the population. Christians of
different denominations account for most of the remainder. Gambians
officially observe the holidays of both religions and practice religious
tolerance.
More than 80% of Gambians live in rural villages, although more and
more young people come to the capital in search of work and education.
While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are
bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, the
traditional emphasis on the extended family, as well as indigenous forms
of dress and celebration, remain integral parts of everyday life.
Population: 1,593,256 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45.22%
15-64 years: 52.13%
65 years and over: 2.65%
Population growth rate: 3.14%
Birth rate: 41.76 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 12.92 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: 2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 77.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.59 years
male: 51.65 years
female: 55.58 years
Total fertility rate: 5.76 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola
10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
vernaculars
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47.5%
male: 58.4%
female: 37.1% (2001 est.)
SOURCES: The World Factbook, U.S. Department of State |