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Gambia

Gambia

The Gambia officially the Republic of The Gambia is a country in Western Africa. It is the smallest country on the African continental mainland and is bordered to the north, east, and south by Senegal, and has a small coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

Country name:

  • conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
  • conventional short form: The Gambia

Nationality:

  • noun: Gambian(s)
  • adjective: Gambian

Capital:

  • name: Banjul
  • geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W
  • time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Independence:

  • 18 February 1965 (from UK)

Population:

  • 1,735,464 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

  • 2.724% (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

  • 1.2% (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups:

  • African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%)
  • non-African 1%
  • (2003 census)

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: 40.1%
  • male: 47.8%
  • female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

Government type:

  • republic

Location:

  • Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Area - comparative:

  • slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate:

  • tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Natural resources:

  • fish
  • titanium (rutile and ilmenite)
  • tin
  • zirc
  • silica sand
  • clay
  • petroleum

Economy - overview:

The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.

GDP - real growth rate:

  • 7% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

  • $1,300 (2007 est.)

Background:

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.

Environment - current issues:

  • deforestation
  • desertification
  • water-borne diseases prevalent

For more info please contact:
African Studies
(310) 825-3686
africa@international.ucla.edu