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THE GAMBIA
Also known as: Republic of The Gambia
Quick Facts
| Location |
Western Africa , bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
| Size |
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,300 sq km |
| Capitals |
Banjul |
| Languages |
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
| Ethnic groups |
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% |
| Population |
1,593,256 (July 2005 est.) |
| Religion |
Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% |
| Chief of State |
President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996 |
| Government type |
republic under multiparty democratic rule |
| GDP |
- $2.799 billion (2004 est.) |
| Industries |
processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing |
| Currency |
dalasi (GMD) |
| Internet country code |
.gm |
| Time zone |
UTC/GMT 0 (no offset) |
On this page, you will find:
- Country- Map, Flag & Coat of Arms
- Introduction
- Journey Element 1: Nature & Wildlife (Natural Environment; Plants & Wildlife)
- Journey Element 2: Life & Society (History, Society & Culture, Government & Politics)
- Journey Element 3: Trade, Travel & Economy (Transportation, Communication, Economy, Tourism)
- Journey Element 4: Highlights, Current Events & Helpful Links (Highlights & amazing statistics, Current events, Other Helpful Links)
Country- Map, Flag & Coat of Arms
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Introduction
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 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.
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Journey Element 1: Nature & Wildlife
Natural Environment
| Climate |
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| Geographic coordinates |
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| Land boundaries |
- total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
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| Location |
- Western Africa , bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
|
| Natural resources |
- fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum
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| Size |
|
| Terrain |
- flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
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| Additional information |
- almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
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Plants & Wildlife
| Animals |
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| Flora |
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National parks & reserves |
- Abuko National Park
- Bijilo National Park
- Kiang West National Park
- Niumi National Park
- River Gambia National Park
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Journey Element 2: Life & Society
History Overview
Gambia was once part of the Empire of Ghana and the Songhai Empire. The first written accounts of the region come from records of Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D. Arab traders established the trans-Saharan trade route for slaves, gold, and ivory. In the 15th century, the Portuguese took over this trade using maritime routes. At that time, The Gambia was part of the Mali Empire.
In 1588, the claimant to the Portuguese throne, Antonio, Prior of Crato, sold exclusive trade rights on the Gambia River to English merchants; this grant was confirmed by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I. In 1618, King James I granted a charter to a British company for trade with The Gambia and the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
During the late 17th century and throughout the 18th, England and France struggled continuously for political and commercial supremacy in the regions of the Senegal and Gambia Rivers. The 1783 Treaty of Versailles gave Great Britain possession of The Gambia.
American author Alex Haley (Roots) traced his ancestry to the Mandinka tribe in the Gambia River village of Juffure, during the 1760s.
As many as 3 million slaves may have been taken from the region during the three centuries that the transatlantic slave trade operated.
After World War II, the pace of constitutional reform quickened. Following general elections in 1962, full internal self-government was granted in 1963. The Gambia achieved independence on February 18, 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth. On April 24, 1970, the Gambia became a republic following a referendum.
Until a military coup in July 1994, The Gambia was led by President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who was re-elected five times. In July 1994, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) seized power in a military coup d'etat, deposing the government of Sir Dawda Jawara. Lieutenant Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, chairman of the AFPRC, became head of state.
In late 2001 and early 2002, The Gambia completed a full cycle of presidential, legislative, and local elections, which foreign observers deemed free, fair, and transparent, albeit with some shortcomings. President Yahya Jammeh, who was re-elected, took the oath of office again on December 21, 2001. The APRC maintained its strong majority in the National Assembly, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) boycotted the legislative elections. From Wikipedia. |
Significant dates & events
| year |
event |
| 800s-900s |
The Gambia was once part of the Empire of Ghana and the Kingdom of the Songhais. The first written accounts of the region come from records of Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D. Arab traders established the trans-Saharan trade route for slaves, gold, and ivory. |
| 1400s |
The Portuguese took over this trade using maritime routes. At that time, The Gambia was part of the Kingdom of Mali. |
| 1588 |
The claimant to the Portuguese throne, Antonio, Prior of Crato, sold exclusive trade rights on The Gambia River to English merchants; this grant was confirmed by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I. |
| 1618 |
King James I granted a charter to a British company for trade with The Gambia and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). |
| late 1600s- early 1700s |
England and France struggle continuously for political and commercial supremacy in the regions of the Senegal and Gambia Rivers. |
| 1783 |
Treaty of Versailles gave Great Britain possession of The Gambia, but the French retained a tiny enclave at Albreda on the north bank of the river. |
| 1700s- 1800s |
As many as 3 million slaves may have been taken from the region during the three centuries that the transatlantic slave trade operated. It is not known how many slaves were taken by Arab traders prior to and simultaneous with the transatlantic slave trade. Most of those taken were sold to Europeans by other Africans; some were prisoners of intertribal wars; some were sold because of unpaid debts, while others were kidnapped. Slaves were initially sent to Europe to work as servants until the market for labor expanded in the West Indies and North America in the 18th century. |
| 1807 |
Slave trading was abolished throughout the British Empire, and the British tried unsuccessfully to end the slave traffic in The Gambia. |
| 1816 |
British establish the military post of Bathurst (now Banjul). In the ensuing years, Banjul was at times under the jurisdiction of the British governor general in Sierra Leone. |
| 1857 |
French cedes tiny enclave at Albreda to UK. |
| 1888 |
The Gambia became a separate colonial entity. |
| 1889 |
Agreement with France established the present boundaries, and The Gambia became a British Crown Colony, divided for administrative purposes into the colony (city of Banjul and the surrounding area) and the protectorate (remainder of the territory). |
| 1901 |
The Gambia received its own executive and legislative councils in 1901 and gradually progressed toward self-government. |
| 1906 |
Ordinance abolishes slavery |
| 1940s |
During World War II, Gambian troops fought with the Allies in Burma.
After World War II, the pace of constitutional reform quickened. |
| 1962 |
Following general elections in 1962. |
| 1963 |
Full internal self-government was granted. |
| 1965 |
The Gambia achieved independence on February 18, 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth. Shortly thereafter, the government proposed conversion from a monarchy to a republic with an elected president replacing the British monarch as chief of state. The proposal failed to receive the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, but the results won widespread attention abroad as testimony to The Gambia's observance of secret balloting, honest elections, and civil rights and liberties. |
| 1970 |
On April 24, The Gambia became a republic following a referendum.
President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara leads countryl |
| 1981 |
The relative stability of the Jawara era was first broken by a violent, unsuccessful coup attempt. The coup was led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who, on two occasions, had unsuccessfully sought election to parliament. After a week of violence which left several hundred dead, President Jawara, in London when the attack began, appealed to Senegal for help. Senegalese troops defeated the rebel force. |
| 1982 |
In the aftermath of the attempted coup, Senegal and The Gambia signed the 1982 Treaty of Confederation. The result, the Senegambia Confederation, aimed eventually to combine the armed forces of the two nations and to unify economies and currencies. |
| 1989 |
The Gambia withdrew from the confederation. |
| 1994 |
In July 1994, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) seized power in a military coup d'etat, deposing the government of Sir Dawda Jawara. Lieutenant Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, chairman of the AFPRC, became head of state. Until this military coup, The Gambia was led by President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who was re-elected five times.
The AFPRC announced a transition plan for return to democratic civilian government. The 1970 constitution, which divided the government into independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, was suspended after this military coup |
| 1995 |
The AFPRC established the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) through decree in March. |
| 1996 |
The Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PIEC) was established to conduct national elections. The transition process included the compilation of a new electoral register, adoption of a new constitution by referendum in August, and presidential and legislative elections in September and January 1997, respectively.
In accordance with the timetable for the transition to a democratically elected government, the commission drafted a new constitution for The Gambia, which approved by referendum in August 1996. Foreign observers did not deem these elections free and fair. Retired Col. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh was sworn into office as President of the Republic of The Gambia in November 1996. |
| 1997 |
The PIEC was transformed to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and became responsible for registration of voters and conduct of elections and referenda. |
| 2001 |
President Yahya Jammeh, who was re-elected, took the oath of office again on December 21. The APRC maintained its strong majority in the National Assembly, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) boycotted the legislative elections. |
Society & Culture
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 Serahule. Approximately 3,500 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including Europeans and families of Lebanese origin.
Muslims constitute more than 95% 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 63% of Gambians live in rural villages (1993 census), although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work and education. Provisional figures from the 2003 census show that the gap between the urban and rural populations is narrowing as more areas are declared urban. 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.
| Arts and crafts |
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| Dance |
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| Dress |
|
| Ethnic groups |
- African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
|
| HIV/AIDS |
|
| Infant mortality rate |
- total: 72.02 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 78.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
- (Compare to other countries)
|
| Languages |
- English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
|
| Life expectancy at birth |
|
| Literacy (age 15 and over can read & write) |
- total population: 40.1%
male: 47.8%
female: 32.8% (2003 est.)
|
| Music |
|
| Myths and legends |
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| Nationality |
- noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
|
| Population |
|
| Population growth rate |
|
| Religion |
- Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
|
School enrollment
(% relevant age group) From UNESCO. |
- Net primary enrollment: 72.9% (2000)
- Net secondary enrollment: 32.8% (2000)
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| Sports |
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| Total fertility rate |
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| Typical dishes |
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Government & Politics
The 1970 constitution, which divided the government into independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, was suspended after the 1994 military coup. As part of the transition process, the AFPRC established the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) through decree in March 1995. In accordance with the timetable for the transition to a democratically elected government, the commission drafted a new constitution for The Gambia, which approved by referendum in August 1996. The constitution provides for a strong presidential government, a unicameral legislature, an independent judiciary, and the protection of human rights.
Local government in The Gambia varies. The capital city, Banjul and the much larger Kanifing Municipality have elected town and municipal councils. Five rural divisions exist, each with a council containing a majority of elected members. Each council has its own treasury and is responsible for local government services. Tribal chiefs retain traditional powers authorized by customary law in some instances.
| Administrative Divisions |
- 5 divisions: Lower River, Central River, North Bank, Upper River, Wester, and 1 city: Banjul
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| Capitals |
|
| Executive branch |
- chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
- elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held October 2006)
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| Government type |
- republic under multiparty democratic rule
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| Holidays and special events |
- Jan 1 - New Year’s Day
- Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice) (changes)
- Feb 18 - Independence Day
- Good Friday (changes)
- Easter Monday (changes)
- Milad al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) (changes)
- May 1 - Labour Day
- Jul 22 - Revolution Day
- Aug 15 - Assumption
- Koriteh (End of Ramadan) (changes)
- Dec 25 - Christmas
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| Independence |
- 18 February 1965 (from UK )
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| Legislative branch |
- unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote, five appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)
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| Major cities |
- Kanifeng; Brikama; Banjul
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| National anthem |
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Journey Element 3: Trade, Travel & Economy
The Gambia has a liberal, market-based economy characterized by traditional subsistence agriculture, a historic reliance on groundnuts (peanuts) for export earnings, a re-export trade built up around its ocean port, low import duties, minimal administrative procedures, a fluctuating exchange rate with no exchange controls, and a significant tourism industry.
Agriculture accounts for 29% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 75% of the labor force. Manufacturing accounts for 5.5% of GDP. The limited amount of manufacturing is primarily agriculturally based (e.g., peanut processing, bakeries, a brewery, and a tannery).
Transportation
| Airports |
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| Highways |
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| Ports and Harbors |
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Communication
Fixed lines
& mobile telephones
(per 1,000 people)
(From ITU) |
|
| International dialing code |
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| Internet country code |
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| Internet users |
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| Media |
The Press - Foroyaa
- The Independent
- Observer
- The Point
TV
Radio
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Personal computers
(per 1,000 people)
(From ITU) |
|
Telephone avg cost-
local call
(US$ per 3 min)
(From ITU) |
|
Telephones -
main lines in use |
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Telephones -
mobile cellular |
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Time zone |
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Economy
| Agriculture products |
- rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats
|
| Currency (code) |
|
| Exchange rates |
- dalasi per US dollar - 27.306 (2003), 27.306 (2003), 19.918 (2002), 15.687 (2001), 12.788 (2000)
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| Exports commodities |
- peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports
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| Exports partners |
- Thailand 16.6%, UK 15.5%, France 14.2%, India 12.3%, Germany 9.2%, Italy 8.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004)
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| Fiscal year |
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| GDP |
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| GDP- real growth rate |
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| Imports commodities |
- foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
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| Imports partners |
- China 25.1%, Senegal 9.2%, UK 6.3%, Brazil 6%, Netherlands 4.9%, US 4.8% (2004)
|
| Industries |
- processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing
|
| Inflation rate |
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| Population below poverty line |
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| Unemployment rate |
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Tourism
| Popular destinations |
- Abuko Nature Reserve
- Banjul - one of the smallest capital cities in Africa
- Gunjur beach
- Serekunda - Gambia's largest town
- Wassu Stone Circles
archaeological site
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| Tourist arrivals (From WTO) |
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| Visas |
- Visitors of the member countries of ECOWAS, some Commonwealth countries, Scandinavian countries, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain do not need a visa/entry permit for a maximum of 28 days.
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| World Heritage sites |
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Journey Element 4: Highlights, Current Events & Helpful Links
Highlights & amazing statistics
| Animals |
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| Cities |
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| Economy |
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| Environment |
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| History |
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| Famous people |
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Current events
- Foroyaa
- The Independent
- Observer
- The Point
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Other Helpful Links
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