The Gambia, officially known as the Republic of The Gambia, is the smallest country on mainland Africa. It is located in West Africa and is surrounded by Senegal, except for its western coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia is known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River, which flows through its center and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Gambia has a land area of about 11,295 square kilometers, making it slightly less than twice the size of Delaware. The country is a narrow strip of land that extends to about 480 km inland, but is no more than 48 km wide at its widest point. The Gambia River is the country’s dominant feature, providing both a useful means of transportation and a rich agricultural area.
The Gambia has a population of approximately 2.4 million people as of 2020. The country is ethnically diverse with a variety of tribes including the Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahule, each with its own language and traditions. The official language is English, but many Gambians also speak one or more tribal languages.
The Gambia is a democratic republic, which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. The president of The Gambia is both the head of state and head of government. The country’s legal system is a mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law.
The Gambia has a mixed transitional economy with a large subsistence agriculture sector. The country relies heavily on remittances from abroad and foreign aid. The main cash crops are peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, sesame, cassava, and palm kernels. The Gambia’s natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of Africa’s larger markets for tourism.
Gambian culture is a blend of traditional African, Islamic, and colonial influences. Music and dance are integral parts of Gambian culture, with traditional instruments like the kora and the balafon commonly played. The country is also known for its rich oral tradition, with griots (storytellers) passing down history and folklore from generation to generation.
