Travel Info
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capital | Banjul |
| Government | republic under multiparty democratic rule |
| Currency | dalasi (GMD) |
| Area | total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
| Population | 1,455,842 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
| Religion | Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% |
The Gambia is a country in West Africa and is the smallest country on the continent of Africa. It has a North Atlantic Ocean coastline in the west and is surrounded by Senegal so that it is almost an enclave. The country occupies the the Gambia river valley and surrounding hills.
Regions
- Administrative divisions
- 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Cities
- Banjul - Capital
Understand
Climate
Tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May); Natural hazards : drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Terrain
Flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills
- Highest point
- unnamed location 53 m
History
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965.
- Independence
- 18 February 1965 (from UK)
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
- Constitution
- 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997
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, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002.
Get in
Gambia is becoming a popular vacation destination for Northern Europeans. Therefore, many charter and holiday operators offer reasonable airfare and accommodation if desired.
By plane
By car
By bus
By boat
Get around
-->Eat
Sleep
- Malawi Guest House (393012/ 392227 Fax). 18 rooms
- Wendels Guest House stub and needs your attention. Plunge forward and help it grow!