The Gambia

This West African nation extends along both banks of the Gambia River for 280 miles (450 kilometers) inland, forming a narrow territory surrounded by Senegal except for its Atlantic coastline, with widths ranging between 15 and 30 miles (24 and 48 kilometers) and covering a total area of 4,360 square miles (11,295 square kilometers).

European traders established posts along the river from the 15th century, before British colonial administration began in 1765 and continued until independence in 1965, when the territory became a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, transitioning to a republic in 1970, experiencing a military coup in 1994, and returning to democratic governance in 2017.

The population includes several ethnic groups such as Mandinka, Fula and Wolof, each maintaining traditional music, dance practices and oral storytelling customs through ceremonies, family celebrations and community gatherings, with griots serving as respected historians and musicians who preserve genealogies and historical knowledge across generations.

The territory operates under a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet from June through October and dry from November through May, with the cooler months between November and February offering the most comfortable travel conditions, while international flights connect through Banjul International Airport and visa requirements vary by nationality.

The territory maintains the Gambia Social Registry, a comprehensive data collection system gathering information from households nationwide to implement targeted social programs and improve resource distribution to communities in need, enabling more efficient administration of assistance schemes and support services across all administrative divisions.

Inception: 1965

Capital city: Banjul

Part of: West Africa

Shares border with: Senegal

GPS coordinates: 13.47006,-15.49005

Latest update: November 30, 2025 18:51