The Gambia, officially known as the Republic of The Gambia, is a small West African country that is entirely surrounded by Senegal, except for its short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia has a population of approximately 2.3 million people, and its capital and largest city is Banjul.

The Gambia is known for its vibrant culture, music, and art, as well as its diverse wildlife and natural beauty. The country is home to several national parks and reserves, including the Kiang West National Park, the Abuko Nature Reserve, and the River Gambia National Park. These protected areas are home to a wide variety of species, including baboons, chimpanzees, hippos, crocodiles, and over 500 species of birds.

The economy of The Gambia is largely based on agriculture, with peanuts being the country's main cash crop. Fishing is also an important industry, and the country has recently started developing its tourism sector, with an increasing number of visitors attracted by the country's beaches, wildlife, and cultural heritage.

The official language of The Gambia is English, but many people also speak local languages such as Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula. The majority of the population is Muslim, and Islam has a strong influence on the country's culture and traditions. The Gambia is also home to several ethnic groups, including the Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and Jola.

The Gambia has a complex history, with the country's borders being shaped by colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. The Gambia was a British colony from the 19th century until its independence in 1965, and the legacy of colonialism can still be seen in the country's political and social structures. The Gambia also played a role in the transatlantic slave trade, with several important slave trading centers located along the River Gambia.

In recent years, The Gambia has undergone significant political changes, with the 2016 presidential election resulting in the peaceful transfer of power from long-time leader Yahya Jammeh to Adama Barrow. The country has also taken steps towards greater accountability and transparency, including establishing a Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission to address past human rights abuses.

Telephone Code
220

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 16; Fire: 18; Police: 17

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Gambia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Climate
Tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Currency (Code)
Dalasis (GMD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
English, Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Major Religions
Muslim 95.7%, Christian 4.2%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Obtain a temporary license from local authority.

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Sanyang Village; National Museum of Gambia; Stone Circles of Senegambia; Kachikally Crocodile Pool; Makasutu Culture Forest; Kotu Beach; River Gambia National Park; Bijilo Forest Park

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, athletics (track and field), cricket

Cultural Practices
Looking elders directly in the eye is considered rude.

Tipping Guidelines
A 7.5% tip is recommended at restaurants. A $1 (USD) a day tip for room service or maid staff is expected during a hotel stay.

Souvenirs
Batik cloth goods, traditional clothing, acacia or ebony wood carvings, native drums, ceremonial masks and statues; beaded, stamped, or carved silver jewelry

Traditional Cuisine
Domodah — a stew with ground peanuts or peanut butter, meat, onion, tomato, garlic, seasonal vegetables, and spices typically served over rice or findi (a grain similar to couscous)

Geography
Area
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,120 sq km
water: 1,180 sq km

Climate
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Natural resources
fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

People and Society
Population
2,468,569 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.)

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

Religions
Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)

Population growth rate
2.23% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Banjul

Economy
Economic overview
small West African economy; COVID-19 reversed robust growth trends; good fiscal management; substantial foreign direct investment and remittances; G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative participant; widespread poverty; increasing Chinese relations

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.482 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,100 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
groundnuts, milk, oil palm fruit, millet, sorghum, rice, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruit

Industries
peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Exports
$135.448 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 38%, India 22%, Mali 7%, Chile 5% (2017)

Exports - commodities
lumber, cashews, refined petroleum, fish oil, ground nut oil (2019)

Imports
$726 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 33%, India 10%, Senegal 5%, Brazil 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
clothing and apparel, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar, palm oil (2019)