Gambia

Gambia

AREA	11,295 sq km (4361 sq miles).
POPULATION	1,113,000 (1995).
POPULATION DENSITY	99.0 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Banjul
CAPITAL POPULATION	50,000 (1995).
GEOGRAPHY	The Gambia is situated on the Atlantic coast at the bulge of Africa. The country consists of a thin ribbon of land, at no point wider than 50km (30 miles), running east–west on both banks of the River Gambia. The Gambia is bounded to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on all other sides by Senegal. It is also the smallest and westernmost African nation. The country mainly consists of a low plateau, which decreases in height as it nears the Atlantic coast. The plain is broken in a few places by low flat-topped hills and by the river and its tributaries. The area extending from MacCarthy Island, where Georgetown is located, to the eastern end of the country is enclosed by low rocky hills. The coast and river banks are backed mainly by mangrove swamps, while the lower part of the river has steep red ironstone banks which are covered with tropical forest and bamboo. Away from the river the landscape consists of wooded, park-like savannah, with large areas covered by a variety of trees such as mahogany, rosewood, oil palm and rubber. On the coast the river meets the Atlantic with impressive sand cliffs and 50km (30 miles) of broad, unspoiled beaches, palm-fringed and strewn with shells.
GOVERNMENT	Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1965. Head of State and Government: President Yayah Jammeh since 1994.
LANGUAGE	The official language is English. Local languages are Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola and Serahule.
RELIGION	Over 80% Muslim, with the remainder holding either Christian or Animist beliefs.
STANDARD TIME	GMT.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are either round 3-pin or square 3-pin (15 or 13 amps).

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