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.
Gambia Map
