 Country name conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia Background 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.Location Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Area total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,300 sq km Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of Delaware Coastline 80 km 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 Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m Natural hazards drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) Environment - current issues deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent Geography - note almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa Population 1,501,050 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 44.9% (male 338,497; female 335,503)
15-64 years: 52.4% (male 390,150; female 396,763)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 20,836; female 19,301) (2003 est.) Median age total: 17.4 years
male: 17.3 years
female: 17.6 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian Ethnic groups African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% Religions Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Internet country code .gm 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 under multiparty democratic rule 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 International organization participation ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO 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 The Gambia. 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. Exports - partners France 21.9%, UK 19.1%, Malaysia 11.8%, Italy 11.1%, Germany 7.3%, Belgium 6.3%, South Africa 4.2% (2002) Currency dalasi (GMD) Currency code GMD Exchange rates dalasi per US dollar - NA (2002), 15.69 (2001), 12.79 (2000), 11.4 (1999), 10.64 (1998) Airports 1 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways Disputes - international none |
