Gambia Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Gambia, State of West Africa; 11,300 km², 2.3 million residents (2019).The Gambia is located along the Gambia River. The country is surrounded by Senegal, except in the west, where the Gambia meets the Atlantic. The capital is Banjul (31,300 residents, 2014).

Country facts

Republic of the Gambia / Republic of Gambia
Country abbreviation: GM
Area: 11 300 km²
Population (2019): 2.3 million residents
Capital: Banjul
Main languages: English, Malinke
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Adama Barrow (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 712
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 700
Currency unit: 1 dalasi = 100 bututs
Currency code: GMD
Country number (telephony): 220
Internet domain name: gm
Time difference compared to Sweden: −1
National Day: February 18 (Independence Day, 1965)

Nature

Land use: agricultural land (20%), other (80%)
Longest river: Gambia (1,300 km)

Population

Population density (2019): 204 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 3.1%; birthrate 39 ‰, deathrate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (44%), 15-64 (53%), 65- (3%)
Average life expectancy (2019): 65 years; men 60 years, women 63 years
Infant mortality (2019): 45 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 5 million residents
Population change in 2017–50: 150%
HDI (2017): 0.460 (place 174 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 61%
Most populous cities (2014): Kanifeng (382 100 residents), Brikama 95 000)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (20%), industry (14%), service (66%)
Export (2017): US $ 73 million
Main export products: peanuts, cotton, fish
Main exporting countries: Guinea-Bissau, Vietnam, Senegal
Imports (2017): US $ 377 million
Main import products: food, machinery, fuel
Main importing countries: Ivory Coast, Brazil, Spain
Railway network: nothing works

The Gambia is completely dominated by the Gambia River and consists of a narrow strip of land on either side of the river. The landscape consists mostly of flat, torn terrain.

The executive authority – the president and the government – is accountable to Parliament. This is added in general elections for a five-year term and five members are nominated by the president. The president is also elected for five years and can be re-elected for an unlimited number of times. The country became independent in 1965.

From an African perspective, Gambia’s national economy is also very weak. The country has had a deficit in the trade balance since the 1970s, which has led to a strong dependence on aid. The main focus of the economy lies on agriculture. Other important elements of business are tourism and trade, the latter with a large element of re-export to other West African countries. Agriculture is dominated by peanut cultivation and peanuts are the most important export commodity. Recurring droughts and insect infestations hit the country’s economy hard.