Gambia, The (2008) | Gambia, The (2004) | |
Administrative divisions | 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western | 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 44.1% (male 373,831/female 370,397)
15-64 years: 53.2% (male 445,365/female 452,311) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 23,582/female 22,873) (2007 est.) |
0-14 years: 44.7% (male 347,349; female 344,264)
15-64 years: 52.6% (male 403,297; female 410,382) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 21,459; female 20,097) (2004 est.) |
Agriculture - products | rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats | rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats |
Airports | 1 (2007) | 1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2007) |
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly less than twice the size of Delaware | slightly less than twice the size of Delaware |
Background | The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006. | The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections. |
Birth rate | 38.86 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) | 40.3 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Budget | revenues: $160.4 million
expenditures: $165.7 million (2007 est.) |
revenues: $58.63 million
expenditures: $62.64 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2003 est.) |
Capital | name: Banjul
geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
Banjul |
Climate | tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) | tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
Coastline | 80 km | 80 km |
Constitution | approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997 | 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January 1997 |
Country name | conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia |
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia |
Currency | - | dalasi (GMD) |
Death rate | 11.99 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) | 12.08 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Debt - external | $628.8 million (2003 est.) | $476 million (2001 est.) |
Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS
embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475 |
chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson McDONALD
embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475 |
Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul Rahman COLE (since 24 December 2007)
chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 |
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lena Manga Sagnia SECK
chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 |
Disputes - international | attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states | attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, other illegal activities, and political instability from separatist movement in southern Senegal's Casamance region |
Economic aid - recipient | $58.15 million (2005) | $45.4 million (1995) |
Economy - overview | The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector. | The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen substantially lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism in 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector. |
Electricity - consumption | 134.9 million kWh (2005) | 79.36 million kWh (2001) |
Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2005) | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2005) | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - production | 145 million kWh (2005) | 85.33 million kWh (2001) |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m |
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m |
Environment - current issues | deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent | deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Ethnic groups | African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% | African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% |
Exchange rates | dalasi per US dollar - 27.79 (2007), 28.066 (2006), 28.575 (2005), 30.03 (2004), 27.306 (2003) | dalasi per US dollar - NA (2003), 19.9182 (2002), 15.6872 (2001), 12.7876 (2000), 11.3951 (1999) |
Executive branch | chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0% |
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held October 2006) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7% |
Exports | 41.5 bbl/day (2004) | NA (2001) |
Exports - commodities | peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports | peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports |
Exports - partners | India 38.6%, UK 15.9%, Indonesia 7.9%, France 7%, Italy 4.6% (2006) | UK 26.7%, Belgium 6.7%, China 6.7%, Germany 6.7%, Italy 6.7%, Malaysia 6.7%, Thailand 6.7% (2003) |
Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
Flag description | three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green | three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green |
GDP | - | purchasing power parity - $2.56 billion (2003 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 32.8%
industry: 8.7% services: 58.5% (2007 est.) |
agriculture: 46.8%
industry: 9.3% services: 43.8% (2003 est.) |
GDP - per capita | - | purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2003 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate | 7% (2007 est.) | 3% (2003 est.) |
Geographic coordinates | 13 28 N, 16 34 W | 13 28 N, 16 34 W |
Geography - note | almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa | almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa |
Highways | - | total: 2,700 km
paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1999) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 37% (1998) |
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
Imports | 2,050 bbl/day (2004) | NA (2001) |
Imports - commodities | foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment | foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment |
Imports - partners | China 25.2%, Senegal 11.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.1%, Brazil 6.6%, Netherlands 4.5%, UK 4% (2006) | China 24.9%, Senegal 8.9%, Brazil 6.8%, UK 6.6%, US 5.6%, Netherlands 5%, India 4.9% (2003) |
Independence | 18 February 1965 (from UK) | 18 February 1965 (from UK) |
Industrial production growth rate | -2.3% (2007 est.) | NA |
Industries | processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing | processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing |
Infant mortality rate | total: 70.14 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 76.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 63.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
total: 73.48 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 80.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 3.5% (2007 est.) | 14% (2003 est.) |
International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO |
Irrigated land | 20 sq km (2003) | 20 sq km (1998 est.) |
Judicial branch | Supreme Court | Supreme Court |
Labor force | 400,000 (1996) | 400,000 (1996) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 75%
industry: 19% services: 6% (1996) |
agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6% |
Land boundaries | total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km |
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km |
Land use | arable land: 27.88%
permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005) |
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0.5% other: 74.5% (2001) |
Languages | English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars | English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
Legal system | based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations | based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
Legislative branch | unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1 |
unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote, five appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held NA January 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1, |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 54.54 years
male: 52.68 years female: 56.46 years (2007 est.) |
total population: 54.79 years
male: 52.76 years female: 56.87 years (2004 est.) |
Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.) |
Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
Map references | Africa | Africa |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified |
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Merchant marine | total: 5 ships (1000 GRT or over) 32,064 GRT/9,751 DWT
by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2007) |
none (2004 est.) |
Military branches | Gambian National Army (National Guard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2007) | Gambian National Army (GNA) (including Naval Unit), Presidential Guard |
Military expenditures - dollar figure | - | $900,000 (2003) |
Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 0.5% (2006) | 0.3% (2003) |
Military manpower - availability | - | males age 15-49: 350,256 (2004 est.) |
Military manpower - fit for military service | - | males age 15-49: 176,733 (2004 est.) |
National holiday | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
Nationality | noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian |
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian |
Natural hazards | drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) | drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) |
Natural resources | fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum | fish |
Net migration rate | 0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) | 1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Political parties and leaders | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] | Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambian People's Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]
note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned since 1996 |
Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | NA |
Population | 1,688,359 (July 2007 est.) | 1,546,848 (July 2004 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | NA |
Population growth rate | 2.781% (2007 est.) | 2.98% (2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | Banjul |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) | AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001) |
Religions | Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% | Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.009 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.985 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.031 male(s)/female total population: 0.997 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
Telephone system | general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available; two mobile-cellular service providers
domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997) |
general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available
domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
Telephones - main lines in use | 52,900 (2006) | 38,400 (2002) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 404,300 (2006) | 100,000 (2002) |
Television broadcast stations | 1 (government-owned) (1997) | 1 (government-owned) (1997) |
Terrain | flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills | flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills |
Total fertility rate | 5.21 children born/woman (2007 est.) | 5.46 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
Unemployment rate | NA% | NA (2002 est.) |
Waterways | 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2006) | 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2004) |