The Gambia

Republic of The Gambia

republicIndependence 18 February 1965 (from UK)

The Gambia as the 2007 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 120 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalBanjul, UTC
Position13 28 N, 16 34 W
Area11,300 sq km
LocationWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
2007

Every edition of The Gambia

Populationas each edition published it
1.69 million July 2007 est. · 848,147 in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.781% 2007 est. · 3.07% in 1993
Median ageyears
17.8 years 2007 est. · 17.4 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
54.54 years 2007 est. · 49.61 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
5.21 children per woman 2007 est. · 6.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
70.14 deaths per 1,000 live births 2007 est. · 140 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$2,000 2006 est. · $325 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
6.5% 2006 est. · 3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

18 fields

Land useshare of 11,300 sq km

arable land 27.88%permanent crops 0.44%other 71.68% (2005)irrigated 20 sq km (2003)
Area
11,300sq km
land: 10,000 sq kmwater: 1,300 sq kmslightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Coastline
80km
territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 18 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: extent not specified
Highest point
53m
unnamed locationlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
740km
border countries: Senegal 740 km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 16 34 W

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, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum

Natural hazards

drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Environment - current issues

  • deforestation;
  • desertification;
  • water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

People

20 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2007 est.)

23,582
65 and over2.8%
22,873
445,365
15-6453.2%
452,311
373,831
0-1444.1%
370,397
MaleFemale
Population
1,688,359
(July 2007 est.)growth rate: 2.781% (2007 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2007 est.)

Birth
38.86Death
11.99Net migration
0.94

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2007 est.)54.54
52.68 · 56.46Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)70.14
76.55 · 63.54
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)40.1%
47.8% · 32.8%Median age years (2007 est.)17.8
17.6 · 17.9
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Religions

Muslim 90%Christian 9%indigenous beliefs 1%

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.009 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.985 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.031 male(s)/female
total population:
0.997 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.21 children born/woman (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

600 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk:
very high
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:
dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever are high risks in some locations
water contact disease:
schistosomiasis
respiratory disease:
meningococcal meningitis (2007)

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%

Languages

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

Government

Republic; President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

67.3%
Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%Halifa SALLAH 6.0%election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011)

National Assembly, 52 seats, elected 25 January 2007one dot, one seat

APRC 47UDP 4independent 1

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form:
The Gambia

Capital

name:
Banjul
geographic coordinates:
13 27 N, 16 34 W
time difference:
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

18 February 1965 (from UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution

approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
  • President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996);
  • note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta;
  • Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997);
  • note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president
elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results:
Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders

  • Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH];
  • Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ];
  • National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH];
  • National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA];
  • National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH];
  • People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA];
  • United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Dodou Bammy JAGNE
chancery:
Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
[1] (202) 785-1379
FAX:
[1] (202) 785-1430

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph D. STAFFORD, III
embassy:
Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul
mailing address:
P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone:
[220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170
FAX:
[220] 439-2475

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Economy

The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base.

42 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$3.324billion
(2006 est.)official exchange rate: $467.6 million (2006 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,000
(2006 est.)
Real growth rate
6.5%
(2006 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

GDP - composition by sector(2006 est.)

agriculture 32.9%industry 9.6%services 57.5% (2006 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

38.5%
India
China
25.2%
15.9%
UK
Senegal
11.2%
Cote d'Ivoire
8.1%
7.9%
Indonesia
7.1%
France
Brazil
6.5%
4.6%
Italy
Netherlands
4.5%
Exports $135 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)Imports $249 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)(2006)

Budget

Revenues
$113.4 millionExpenditures
$139 million (2006 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production
145 million (2005)Electricity consumption
134.9 million (2005)

Economy - overview

The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits 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 Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises.

Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.

Labor force

400,000 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
75%
industry:
19%
services:
6% (1996)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
NA%
highest 10%:
NA% (1998)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Current account balance

$-33 million (2006 est.)

Exports

$135 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports

Imports

$249 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Economic aid - recipient

$58.15 million (2005)

Debt - external

$628.8 million (2003 est.)

Currency (code)

dalasi (GMD)

Exchange rates

dalasi per US dollar - 28.3 (2006), 30.38 (2005), 30.03 (2004), 27.306 (2004), 19.918 (2003), 15.687 (2002), 15.687 (2001)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
404,300
(2006)
Fixed lines
52,900
(2006) · country code .gm

Telephone system

general assessment:
adequate; a packet switched data network is available
domestic:
adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire
international:
  • country code - 220;
  • microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau;
  • satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

1 (government-owned) (1997)

Internet users

58,000 (2005)

Transportation

6 fields

Merchant marine, 5 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1000 GRT or over) 32,064 GRT/9,751 DWT

passenger/cargo 4petroleum tanker 1foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2007)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m
1

Networkskm

Roadways
3,742Waterways
390 (2006)
Roadways: paved: 723 km · unpaved: 3,019 km (2004) · Waterways: (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km)

Airports

1 (2007)

Roadways

total:
3,742 km
paved:
723 km
unpaved:
3,019 km (2004)

Waterways

390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2006)

Military

Gambian National Army (National Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2007)

5 fields

Military branches

Gambian National Army (National Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2007)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49:
311,025
females age 18-49:
316,214 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49:
183,057
females age 18-49:
194,551 (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2006)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Gambia, The.” The World Factbook 2007. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/gambia/2007.

How to cite ← 2006 edition 2008 edition →