Gambia

Overview

Gambia is one of Africa’s smallest countries located in Western Africa.

The country’s present boundaries were put down by an agreement between Britain and France. Then it became a British protectorate around 1894.

It received independence in 1965. In 1982, Gambia and Senegal formed a loose confederation called Senegambia although it later collapsed in 1989.

Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh took over the country in 1994 through a coup. He was elected president of the country in 1996 but without three major political parties taking part in the election. He defeated several coup attempts and led the country until 2017. In 2013, President Yahya Jammeh notified UN that the country would withdraw from Commonwealth to defend his country’s dignity by whatever means necessary. He described Gambia as a “neo-colonial institution”. It is said that this move was made because of the international criticisms on human rights violation by the government.

In 2015, President Jammeh declared that the country had become an Islamic Republic; he did so to break from the country’s colonial past. Presidential elections were then held on 1st December 2016 when surprisingly opposition candidate Adama Barrow defeated Jammeh Yahya.

The port of Banjul, near the mouth of the Gambia River,

As of 2019, the country had a population of 2.297 million.

Majority of the population are Muslims.

The education system is British based and consists of three years of junior secondary learning for grades seven and nine and three years of senior secondary learning for grades ten and twelve.

The most popular sports are soccer, basketball, athletics, cricket and traditional wrestling.

The official language is English.

The national dish is groundnut stew and vegetables.

The major ethnic groups are Malinke, Wolof, Fulani (Fulbe), Diola (Jola) and Soninke.

Most people there practice agriculture. The country exports Peanut. Also, its Atlantic coastline has popular beaches and is home to the Jufureh village, where Kunta Kinte novel character of Alex Haley’s novel belongs.

Gambia is wholly surrounded by Senegal to north, east and south.

History

The Gambia was part of the Mali and Songhai empires before Britain established control along the river. It became independent in 1965.

Food & culture

Domoda (peanut stew), benachin (one-pot rice) and yassa (chicken or fish in onion and lemon sauce) are popular dishes.

Wildlife

More than 500 bird species have been recorded, and chimpanzees live on islands in the River Gambia National Park.

Festivals & events

Independence Day is 18 February, and the Roots Festival celebrates the country's heritage.

Things to see

Kunta Kinteh Island, the Abuko Nature Reserve, the beaches of the Atlantic coast and river trips upriver to Janjanbureh.

Interesting facts

The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa and is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal.

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Neighbours

Senegal