Gambia

Gambia is a country in West Africa with an area of 11,300 square kilometres. It is the smallest country in continental Africa, bounded by Senegal on all sides except for its western Atlantic coastline.

How does the landscape shape economic life?

The territory is situated on both sides of the lower reaches of the Gambia River, which flows through the center of the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This national namesake river demarcates the elongated shape of the nation.

What defines the economic sectors and climate challenges?

The economy of Gambia is dominated by farming, fishing, and especially tourism. Within this landscape, farming and fishing rely directly on the regional aquatic and land resources provided by the river basin and surrounding terrain. Despite these economic activities, economic pressures remain significant; in 2022, 17.2% of the population lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than US$2.15 per day.

Gambia, officially named Gambia, is a country in West Africa with an area of 11,300 square kilometres. Geographically, it is the smallest country in continental Africa, bounded by Senegal on all sides except for its western coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.

How does the landscape shape the region?

The national namesake Gambia River flows through the center of the country on both sides of its lower reaches, emptying into the Atlantic and demarcating the elongated shape of the territory. The climate in Gambia is a tropical savannah climate, featuring a short rainy season from June until September, while lower temperatures and less precipitation predominate from then until May.

What are the limits of static safety writing?

Durable orientation regarding safety requires checking official sources, as the supplied evidence contains no risk assessments, crime statistics, healthcare ratings, or policing descriptions. Readers must verify current conditions using the dated calculator above and consult official government or local sources before travel, as local safety evidence is unavailable in the permanent record.

For more information, consult The Gambia and the GeoNames record for Gambia.

How does the landscape and climate shape the Gambia?

The Gambia is an African country situated along both sides of the lower reaches of the Gambia River. Encompassing an area of 11,300 square kilometres, the nation is the smallest country in continental Africa and is bounded by Senegal on all sides except for its western shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean.

How do geographical boundaries define the territory? The national namesake river demarcates the elongated shape of the country. This waterway flows through the center of the territory and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city of Banjul is located on an island at this mouth.

Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country situated in the West Africa region. Geographically, it stands as the smallest country in continental Africa, encompassing a total area of 11,300 square kilometres.

What defines the landscape and boundaries of the country?

The territory of Gambia is shaped completely by the lower reaches of the Gambia River, which flows through the center of the nation and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This national namesake waterway creates an elongated geographic shape. The country is bounded by Senegal on all sides, with the sole exception of its western border along the Atlantic Ocean. The island city of Banjul serves as the capital.

How does geography shape the regional layout and human geography?

The course of the river dictates the regional layout, dividing the surrounding land into distinct northern and southern banks. Major population centers and significant cities include Serekunda and Brikama, as well as Kanifing and Farafenni situated on the north bank. Further along the waterway are Basse in the Upper River Region and Soma in the lower river region.

What historical and administrative context frames the territory?

Historically, the region has been connected to broader trade networks, including the Trans-Saharan trade that linked the area to Africa's North-East, and early influences from Arab Muslims who brought Sunni Islam to the Western Sahara and Gambia in the 9th and 10th centuries. European presence began when Portuguese explorers entered the Gambia in 1455, followed centuries later by the establishment of a British Empire colony in 1765. The country eventually gained its independence in 1965 under the leadership of Dawda Jawara. Today, the nation maintains English as its sole official language, a legacy of British rule, and participates regionally as a founding member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).