Africa :: Gambia, The

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL

## Introduction ::Gambia, The

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 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 2011.

## Geography ::Gambia, The

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 11,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 167 land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m
Natural resources:
fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon
Land use:
arable land: 39.82% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 59.73% (2011)
Irrigated land:
50 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.09 cu km/yr (41%/21%/39%) per capita: 65.77 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
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
Geography - note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

## People and Society ::Gambia, The

Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Population:
1,883,051 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Age structure:
0-14 years: 39.2% (male 369,966/female 367,285) 15-24 years: 21.1% (male 196,194/female 201,206) 25-54 years: 32.5% (male 299,837/female 312,864) 55-64 years: 4% (male 36,330/female 38,464) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 28,722/female 32,183) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 19.9 years male: 19.6 years female: 20.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.29% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Birth rate:
32.59 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Death rate:
7.38 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Net migration rate:
-2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Urbanization:
urban population: 57.3% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
BANJUL (capital) 436,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 28
Infant mortality rate:
total: 67.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 20 male: 73.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.09 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 61.78 years female: 66.47 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.98 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
17.5% (2001)
Health expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 115
Physicians density:
0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 85% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 15% of population total: 11% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 70% of population rural: 65% of population total: 68% of population unimproved: urban: 30% of population rural: 35% of population total: 32% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
18,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
7.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 138
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
15.8% (2006) country comparison to the world: 49
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 112
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 60% female: 40.4% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8.6 years (2008)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 103,389 percentage: 25 % (2006 est.)

## Government ::Gambia, The

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya 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 JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Yahya JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya JAMMEH 71.5%, Ousainou DARBOE 17.4%, Hamat BAH 11.1%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - APRC 51.8%, independents 38.8%, NRP 9.4%; seats by party - APRC 43, independents 4, NRP 1 note: except for the NRP, all opposition parties boycotted the 29 March 2012 legislative elections
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 other justices); note - court sessions held with 5 justices judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement age subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; magistrate courts; Cadi/Muslim courts; district tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya JAMMEH] (the ruling party) 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 BAH] People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH] United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Environment Agency or NEA West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alieu Momodou NGUM chancery: Suite 240, Georgetown Plaza, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 342-0240
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. ALFORD 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
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace
National symbol(s):
lion
National anthem:
name: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland" lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

## Economy ::Gambia, The

Economy - overview:
The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base, and relies in part on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. About three-quarters of the population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood and the sector provides for about one-quarter of GDP. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale facilities. In 2012, however, sluggish tourism led to a decline in GDP. Tourism brings in about one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture also took a hit in 2012 due to unfavorable weather patterns. The Gambia's re-export trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high. Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders continue to be concerned about the quality of fiscal management and The Gambia''s debt burden.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.459 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $3.327 billion (2011 est.) $3.476 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$918 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 -4.3% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 $1,900 (2011 est.) $2,000 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 22.3% industry: 18.3% services: 59.5% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
777,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 148
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
48.4% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.2 (1998) country comparison to the world: 22
Investment (gross fixed):
27.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Budget:
revenues: $180.8 million expenditures: $208.9 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
19.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 4.8% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 21 11% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
26.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 28% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$212.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $220.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$512.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $487.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$374.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $380.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (manioc), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:
processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
-3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Current account balance:
-$155.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 -$119.1 million (2011 est.)
Exports:
$104.7 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $104.5 million (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
Exports - partners:
China 57.3%, India 18%, France 4.6%, UK 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
$360.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 $328.4 million (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
Imports - partners:
China 27.1%, Senegal 8.4%, Brazil 8%, UK 6.3%, India 6%, Indonesia 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$236.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $223.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$480.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $466.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 32.0771 (2012 est.) 29.4615 (2011 est.) 28.012 (2010 est.) 26.6444 (2009) 22.75 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Gambia, The

Electricity - production:
240 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - consumption:
223.2 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
53,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
3,181 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Refined petroleum products - exports:
41.62 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Refined petroleum products - imports:
2,913 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
291,000 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

## Communications ::Gambia, The

Telephones - main lines in use:
50,400 (2011) country comparison to the world: 163
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.4 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 147
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is roughly 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable is scheduled for completion in 2011; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 4 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2007)
Internet country code:
.gm
Internet hosts:
656 (2012) country comparison to the world: 179
Internet users:
130,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

## Transportation ::Gambia, The

Airports:
1 (2012) country comparison to the world: 216
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2012)
Roadways:
total: 3,742 km country comparison to the world: 159 paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)
Waterways:
390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2010) country comparison to the world: 89
Merchant marine:
total: 4 country comparison to the world: 132 by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Banjul

## Military ::Gambia, The

Military branches:
Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 423,306 females age 16-49: 438,641 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 315,176 females age 16-49: 347,017 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 20,508 female: 20,853 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.7% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 153

## Transnational Issues ::Gambia, The

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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 9,042 (Senegal) (2012)

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL