The Gambia

Republic of The Gambia

republic under multiparty democratic ruleIndependence 18 February 1965 (from UK

The Gambia as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 86 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalBanjul

Position13 28 N, 16 34 W

Area11,300 sq km

LocationWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and

Populationas each edition published it

1.2 million July 1996 est. · 848,147 in 1990

Population growth% a year

3.55% 1996 est. · 3.07% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 17.4 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

52.96 years 1996 est. · 49.61 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

6.06 children per woman 1996 est. · 6.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

80.5 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 140 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,100 1995 est. · $325 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2% 1995 est. · 3% in 1993

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and | Senegal

15 fields

Land useshare of 11,300 sq km

arable land 16%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 9%forest and woodland 20%other 55%irrigated 120 sq km (1989 est.)

Area

11,300sq km

land area: 10,000 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware

Coastline

80km

contiguous zone: 18 nmcontinental shelf: not specifiedexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Land boundaries

740km

border country: Senegal 740 km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

International disputes

short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite

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

lowest point:: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:: unnamed location 53 m

Environment

current issues:: deforestation;
desertification;
water-borne diseases prevalent
natural hazards:: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years
international agreements:: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification

Geographic note

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

People

15 fields

Population

1,204,984

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

44.44Death

13.66Net migration

4.72

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years52.96

50.74 · 55.24

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy38.6%

52.8% · 24.9%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

Religions

Muslim 90%Christian 9%indigenous beliefs 1%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 46% (male 276,782; female 275,683)
15-64 years:: 51% (male 307,405; female 312,736)
65 years and over:: 3% (male 17,278; female 15,100) (July 1996 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 1.14 male(s)/female
all ages:: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate

80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Gambian(s)
adjective:: Gambian

Ethnic divisions

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1%

Languages

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Government

Republic under multiparty democratic rule

21 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

58.5%

Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) (prior to the 22 July 1994 coup, next election had been scheduled for April 1997) 8.0%

Legislature, 36 seatsone dot, one seat

(43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30NCP 6

Name of country

conventional long form:: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form:: The Gambia

Type of government

republic under multiparty democratic rule note:: nominally a republic, The Gambia has had a military government since 22 July 1994;
the military authority has promised to return control to a democratically-elected government in July 1996

Administrative divisions

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western

18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution

24 April 1970; suspended July 1994

Legal system

based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state and head of government:: Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since the military coup of 22 July 1994); Vice Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Edward SINGHATEH (since March 1995); last popular election held on 29 April 1992; results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0% (prior to the 22 July 1994 coup, next election had been scheduled for April 1997)
cabinet:: Cabinet normally is appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives (present cabinet appointed by Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council)

Legislative branch

unicameral

House of Representatives

last popular election held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997);
results - PPP won 58.1% of votes;
seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6

note: following the military coup on 22 July 1994, all elective offices were dissolved; in April 1996, the military government announced that voter registrations would begin in May and democratic elections would be held in October 1996

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders

the following political parties were active on 22 July 1994, after which time political activity was

banned by the military government:: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile), secretary general;
National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA (in exile);
Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA;
United Party (UP), leader NA;
People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA;
People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador (vacant); Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Tombong SAIDY
chancery:: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425

FAX

[1] (202) 785-1430

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador Gerald A. SCOTT
embassy:: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul
mailing address:: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone:: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971

FAX

[220] 392475

Flag

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Economy

The Gambia has no important mineral or other | natural resources and has a limited agricultural base.

20 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$1,100

(1995 est.)

Real growth rate

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

1.7%

(1994)

Labor force

400,000

(1986 est.)by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1%

GDP composition by sector(1993)

agriculture 27%industry 15%services 58% (1993)

Budget

Revenues

$91.4 millionExpenditures

$90 million

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)

Installed generating capacity, 30,000 kW

Electricity production

70 millionElectricity consumption per capita

64 (1993)

Economic overview

The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. A sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade policy, had fostered a respectable 4% annual rate of growth in 1990-93.

Reexport trade normally constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in turn. The 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports. But, in response to the military's takeover in July 1994, cuts in foreign trade and a decline in tourism have undermined economic growth.

processing peanuts, fish, and hides;
tourism;
beverages;
agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking;
clothing

Agriculture

peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels;
cattle, sheep, goats;
forest and fishing resources not fully exploited

Exports

$35 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

commodities:: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
partners:: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)

Imports

$209 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

commodities:: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
partners:: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989)

Transportation

6 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 1 in all

over 3 047 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

2,386Railways

0Waterways

400

Highways: paved: 764 km · unpaved: 1,622 km (1990 est.)

Highways

total:: 2,386 km
paved:: 764 km
unpaved:: 1,622 km (1990 est.)

Ports

Banjul

Merchant marine

none

Communications

Army, Navy, National Police

9 fields

Fixed lines

11,000

(1991 est.)

Telephone system

domestic:: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open wire
international:: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

males age 15-49:: 267,188
males fit for military service:: 134,611 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 3.8% of GDP (FY93/94)

Central Intelligence Agency. “The Gambia.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/gambia/1996.

How to cite ← 1995 edition 1997 edition →