The Gambia

The Gambia is a small country in West Africa.

It sits next to the Atlantic Ocean. The country is mostly surrounded by Senegal. A big river runs through the middle.

The river is called the Gambia River. It flows right into the sea. This river gives the country its name.

Many people live in the cities. Banjul is the capital city. It is on an island.

People there do many things. They work in farming and fishing. Many people also visit for trips. It is a beautiful place to see.

The Gambia is a country in West Africa.

It is the smallest country in continental Africa. It is surrounded by Senegal on almost all sides. To the west, it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

A large river runs through the center of the country. This is the Gambia River. It flows into the sea. The country's name comes from this river.

Banjul is the capital city. It sits on an island. Other large cities are Serekunda and Brikama. Many people live in the country. There are over 2.4 million people there.

History has changed the land many times. Arab traders came long ago. Later, the Portuguese and the British arrived. The British ruled for a long time. The Gambia became independent in 1965.

Today, people do many jobs. Farming and fishing are very important. Many people also work in tourism. This means they help visitors who come to see the country.

The Gambia is a country located in West Africa.

It is the smallest country on the African continent. The land is shaped like a long strip. This shape follows the path of the Gambia River. Senegal surrounds the country on almost every side. To the west, the country meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia River flows through the middle of the nation. It eventually empties into the sea. The name of the country comes from this river.

Many different groups of people have visited this land. Long ago, Arab merchants used trade routes to reach the area. They brought Islam to the region during the 9th and 10th centuries. They traded goods like gold and ivory. In 1455, Portuguese explorers arrived by sea. Later, the British Empire established a colony there in 1765. The British ruled the area for a long time. They even built a military post at Bathurst. This city is known today as Banjul.

Changing leaders have shaped the history of the nation. The Gambia gained its independence in 1965. Dawda Jawara was the first leader after independence. He served as president for many years. In 1994, a man named Yahya Jammeh took power in a coup. This was a sudden change in government. Later, in 2016, Adama Barrow was elected president. He won after a difficult political time. The group known as ECOWAS helped ensure he could take office.

There are many important places and facts to know. Banjul is the capital city and sits on an island. Serekunda and Brikama are the next largest cities. The population is over 2.4 million people. This is a big increase from the 2013 census. English is the only official language used in the country. This became common during the time of British rule. The country is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Life in The Gambia involves many different activities. Most people work in farming or fishing. Tourism is also a very big part of the economy.

Many visitors come to see the beautiful sights. You might see the Senegambian stone circles.

These are the largest concentration of stone circles in the world. People also enjoy the local music and culture. You might even hear a kora being played.

The Gambia, officially known as the Republic of the Gambia, is a nation in West Africa.

It holds the distinction of being the smallest country on the African continent. Geographically, its shape is very long and narrow. This elongated territory is defined by the Gambia River. The river flows through the center of the country. It eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Senegal surrounds the country on almost all sides. The western part of the nation meets the Atlantic coast. The name "Gambia" likely comes from the Mandinka term Kambra or Kambaa. This term refers to the Gambia River itself.

The history of the region involves many different groups. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Arab Muslim merchants arrived. They used the trans-Saharan trade routes to reach the area. These merchants traded goods like gold and ivory. They also used a barter exchange system. During this time, Islam was introduced to Western Sudan. By the 11th or 12th century, local rulers had converted to Islam. They often appointed literate Muslim officials to their courts. In the 14th century, much of the area was part of the Mali Empire. Later, Portuguese explorers arrived by sea in 1455. They adopted a local name for the river that eventually became "Gambia."

European powers later competed for control of the river. The British Empire established a colony in 1765. Before this, the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia briefly ruled parts of the river. This was a vassal state of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The British and French struggled for supremacy in the region for many years. The 1783 Treaty of Versailles gave Great Britain possession of the river. However, the French kept a small area at Albreda until 1856. The British later divided the territory into a colony and a protectorate. The capital, Bathurst, was established as a military post in 1816. This city is known today as Banjul.

The Gambia achieved independence from British rule on February 18, 1965. It was initially a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch at that time.

In 1970, the nation became a republic. Dawda Jawara became the first president. He led the country for many years through several elections. In 1981, there was an attempted coup by a group called the National Revolutionary Council. This led to a conflict where 500 to 800 people were killed. Senegal sent troops to help defeat the rebels. This event eventually led to the Senegambia Confederation. The Gambia left that union in 1989.

Political changes continued into the 21st century. In 1994, Yahya Jammeh took power in a bloodless coup. He led the country for many years. In 2016, Adama Barrow was elected president. He defeated Jammeh with the help of an opposition coalition. This caused a constitutional crisis when Jammeh refused to leave. The Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, intervened with military force. This helped ensure Jammeh's removal two days after his term ended. Adama Barrow was formally sworn in as president in January 2017.

The nation's economy relies on several key sectors. Farming and fishing are very important. Tourism is also a major part of the economy.

However, many people face economic challenges. In 2022, 17.2% of the population lived in extreme poverty. This means they lived on less than US$2.15 per day. The population is growing quickly. The 2024 Census showed a population of 2,422,712 people. This was a 30.45% increase from the 2013 Census. English is the sole official language of the country. This is because of the period of British rule.

There are many interesting cultural and physical features to see. The Senegambian stone circles are a famous site. UNESCO describes them as the largest concentration of stone circles in the world. Banjul is the most extensive metropolitan area. It sits on an island at the mouth of the river. Other large cities include Serekunda and Brikama. The country is also a founding member of ECOWAS. It rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations in 2018. Music is also a vital part of life. You might hear the sounds of a kora, which is a type of bridge-harp.