Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Area: 11,300 square kilometers (slightly less than twice the size of Delaware)

Capital: Banjul

Border Countries: Senegal

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

Natural Resources: fish

Land use: Arable land: 19%; permanent crops: 1%; other: 80% (1998 estimate)

Environment: Current Issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent   Natural Hazards: drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

People

Population: 1,455,842 (July 2002 est.); 0-14 years: 45.1% ; 15-64 years: 52.3%; 65 years and over: 2.6%; Infant mortality rate: 76.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.); Life expectancy at birth: 53.98 years.

People Groups: Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 5%

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Literacy: Age 15 and over can read and write - total population: 47.5%; male: 58.4%; female: 37.1%.

Government

Type of Government: Republic under multiparty democratic rule

Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK)

Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

National Holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Legal System: Based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Chief of State: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was Chairman of the Junta);

Head of Government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996

Flag: Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Economy

Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources 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 Banjul. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen substantially lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism in 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector. Record crops undergirded sturdy growth in 2001.

Labor force: 400,000

Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing

Agriculture: peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishery resources not fully exploited

Currency: Dalasi (GMD)

Transportation: Railways: 0 km  Highways: total: 2,700 km; paved: 956 km; unpaved: 1,744 km (1996 ); Waterways: 400 km; Ports: Banjul

Religion

Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%.

In Gambia, as in other West African countries, Islam is mixed with traditional animistic beliefs, witchcraft, and the worship of saints.  Gambia maintains freedom of religion and hosts a small but growing evangelical movement.  However, Christianity is often still associated with White colonialism.  Missions have seen some fruit among animist peoples of the coastline, yet many Muslim communities are untouched by the Gospel.