Country Details
| Land Area |
10,000 sq km |
Population |
1411205 |
| Capital City |
Banjul |
People |
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% |
| Language |
English, Wolof, Mandinka, Dyola |
Religion |
Muslim |
| Government Type |
republic under multiparty democratic rule |
Life Expectancy |
53.59 years |
| HIV/AIDS Rate |
1.95% (1999 est.) |
GNP per Capita |
$1,100 |
| Currency |
dalasi (GMD) |
Major Exports |
peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, pa |
| National Holiday |
Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
Dialing Code |
|
| Electricity |
220V |
Malaria Risk |
High Risk |
| Water Quality |
Unsafe |
Inoculations |
Yellow Fever, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio |
| Crime |
|
Driving License |
National Licence accepted for short visits |
| Photography |
|
Entry Regs |
Passport & Visa |
| Time Zone |
GMT |
|
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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.
