Facts about The Gambia*:
- Location: West Africa (The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa; it is completely surrounded by Senegal to the north, south and east, and borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west.) Click here for a map or see above.
- Geographic Coordinates: 13° 28′ N, 16° 34′ W
- Area: 11,295 sq km (slightly less than twice the size of Delaware)
- Coastline: 80 km
- The country is divided into 5 divisions (Lower River, Central River, North Bank, Upper River, Western) and 1 city (Banjul). Click here for another map of the 5 divisions and the city or see above.
- Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June-Nov); cooler, dry season (Nov-May)
- Elevation: lowest point = sea level e.g. Atlantic Ocean; highest point = unnamed elevation at 53m)
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT); does follow any daylight savings time changes.
- Capital: Banjul, with a population 436,000 (2009 estimate)
- Largest City: Serekunda
- Total Population: 1,797,000 (July 2011 estimate)
- Official Language: English
- National Languages: Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Serer, Jola
- Ethnic Groups: Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other African 4% , non-African 1%
- Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
- Life Expectancy: 63 years (males 61 years; females 65 years)
- Currency: Dalasi (GMD) (1 USD = approx 27 GMD)
- Calling Code: 220
- Government: Presidential Republic
- Independence: 18 February 1965 from the UK
- Independence Day: 18 Feb
- Current President: Yahya Jammeh
- Current Vice President: Isatou Njie-Saidy
- Flag: The flag is 3 equal horizontal bands: red (representing the sun and savannah), blue (representing the Gambia River) with white edges (denoting unity and peace), and green (representing forests and agriculture).
- National Symbol: Lion
- National Anthem: “For The Gambia, Our Homeland”
*Facts taken from Wikipedia and The World Factbook
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