The Gambia is a very small and narrow country with the border based on the Gambia River. The country is less than 48km wide at its greatest width. The country's present boundaries were defined in 1889 after an agreement between the United Kingdom and France. Apart from its coastline, where The Gambia borders the Atlantic Ocean, it is an enclave of Senegal and by far the smallest country on the continent of Africa.
The best time to travel in The Gambia is from November to March, when conditions are dry and relatively cool. However, around this same time of year the dry, dusty harmattan winds blow off the Sahara. December to February is the local trading season, assuming the rains came when they should have, and everybody's a little more relaxed than usual, perhaps with a bit of extra money to spend, so the markets are at their liveliest. During the 'rainy' season (June to October), popular tourist areas are less crowded and cheaper, and the country still gets an average of five hours of sunlight per day. The only problem you're likely to notice is some smaller dirt roads washing away. The peak tourist season lasts from October through April, which coincides with the visits of the migratory birds.
The Gambia's main airport is Banjul International, about 20km (12mi) south-west of the city centre and 15km (9mi) south-east of the Atlantic Coast resorts. It's served by scheduled and charter flights to and from Western Europe and other African states, with connections to other parts of the world. An airport tax of US$20 is levied upon leaving The Gambia and is payable in any hard currency.
With Senegal surrounding The Gambia on all sides save the western coastline, getting in and out of the country by land used to involve a change of vehicle at the border. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. There are bush taxis and buses available to most destinations in Senegal for a reasonable cost. If you're driving between Banjul and Dakar or Ziguinchor, Senegal, the roads are tarred.
An excellent new ferry service, L'Express du Senegal, is in operation between Banjul, and Dakar and Ziguinchor. The {Kassoumay Kep} is quicker than the buses/bush taxis doing the same trips by road and is also a lot more comfortable. Due to the problems in the Casamance area of Senegal, this is also a far safer form of transport to Ziguinchor than going by road.
The Gambia has a liberal, market-based economy characterized by traditional subsistence agriculture, a historic reliance on groundnuts (peanuts) for export earnings, a re-export trade built up around its ocean port, low import duties, minimal administrative procedures, a fluctuating exchange rate with no exchange controls, and a significant tourism industry.
Primary education in The Gambia is free but not compulsory. In the 1995 school year 124,500 children were enrolled in primary school (78 percent of this age group), while 32,100 were enrolled in a secondary school (25 percent of secondary school-aged children). The country’s institutions of higher education include The Gambia College, in Bríkama, and several technical and training schools.
About 90 percent of the people of The Gambia are Muslim; 9 percent are Christian; and 1 percent follow traditional religions. English is the official language, but each ethnic group has its own language.
Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
18 February - Independence Day
March or April - Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ras as-Sana, Tabaski
1 May - Workers Day
June or July - Eid al-Moulid
22 July - Anniversary of the Second Republic
25 December - Christmas
December or January - Eid al-Fitr
Republic of the Gambia
Population (2006 est.): 1,641,564 (growth rate: 2.8%); birth rate: 39.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 71.6/1000; life expectancy: 54.1; density per sq mi: 425
Capital : Banjul
Other Cities: Kotu, Serrekunda
Currency : Dalasi
Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
Ethnicity/race: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
Religions: Islam 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous 1%
Literacy rate: 40% Approx. |
