GAMBIA

Sandra Appiah March 03, 2011

Gambia, in West Africa, is a small, narrow country with an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1588 Britain purchased from Portugal trading rights to this territory extending along both sides of the Gambia River. Independence came in 1965. After nearly 30 years of democratic rule, Gambia’s president was ousted by a military coup in 1994. The constitution was rewritten and approved by national referendum in August 1996, and constitutional rule was reestablished in January 1997. Most people are subsistence farmers; the main export is groundnuts (peanuts).

GAMBIAFAST FACTS

Population:1,595,000

Capital: Banjul; 372,000

Area: 11,295 square kilometers (4,361 square miles)

Language: English, Mandinka, Wolof, Fula

Religion: Muslim, Christian

Currency: Dalasi

Life Expectancy: 53

GDP per Capita: U.S. $1,800

Literacy Percent: 40

 

 

ECONOMY

  • Industry: Processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly
  • Agriculture: Rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts; cattle
  • Exports: Peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports

 

 

 

Source: The National Geographic
CIA- The World Factbook
 

Last Edited by: Updated: February 25, 2014

Conversations

Must Read

Connect with us

Join our Mailing List to Receive Updates