| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
13° 28' North Latitude
16° 34' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
11,300 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
| Natural Resources |
Fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum |
|
| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Republic of The Gambia |
| Capital City |
Banjul |
| Government Type |
Republic under multiparty democratic rule |
| Administrative Divisions |
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western |
| Independence Day |
18 February 1965 (from UK) |
|
| Demographical Information |
|
|
| Population |
1,593,256 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Gambian |
| Ethnic Groups |
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% |
| Religion |
Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% |
| Languages |
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
| Population Growth Rate |
2.93% (2005 est.) |
|
| Economical Information |
|
|
| Currency |
Dalasi (GMD) |
| Industries |
Processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing |
| Labor Force |
400,000 (1996) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6% |
| Agriculture Products |
Rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats |
| Export Commodities |
Peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports |
| Export Partners |
Thailand 16.6%, UK 15.5%, France 14.2%, India 12.3%, Germany 9.2%, Italy 8.3%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment |
| Import Partners |
China 25.1%, Senegal 9.2%, UK 6.3%, Brazil 6%, Netherlands 4.9%, US 4.8% (2004) |
|
| Transportation |
|
|
| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
2,700 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
1 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Banjul |
|
| Communication |
|
|
| Phone Code |
+220 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.gm |
|
| Other |
|
|
| Short History |
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. |
|
| www.kfrawy.com |
