Gambia

Government
 Republic.

Geography
Situated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost Africa. The Gambia River flows for 200 mi (322 km) through Gambia on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent, averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width.
 
Historical Background
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections.

Facts & Figures

Name

The Gambia, or Gambia

Capital

Banjul

Government

Republic

Language

English

Religion

Islam

Area

10,380 km2

Population

1,705,000

Currency

Dalasi (GMD)