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 A. J. J. 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 2006.

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Area

total: 11,295 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km

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

Natural Resources

Fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum

Land use

arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005)

Geography

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

People

Population:

1,782,893 (July 2009 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806/female 387,172) 15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478/female 481,315) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071/female 25,051) (2009 est.)

Ethnic Groups

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)

Religions

Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%

Languages

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

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

Government

Type: Republic Aministrative Divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Legal System:

Based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive Branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. 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 A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0% Legislative Branch: unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1 Political Parties: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; 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 N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Economy

Overview:

The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.

GDP

$2.277 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
$2.15 billion (2007 est.) $2.023 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP Composition by Sector

agriculture: 33.3% industry: 7.6% services: 59% (2008 est.) Labour Force 777,100 (2007)

Exports

$85 million (2008 est.)

Export Commodities

Peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports

Export Partners

India 30.5%, Japan 25.6%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.5%, UK 5.3%, Spain 4.1% (2008)Imports $299 million (2008 est.)Import Commodities foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Import Partners

China 20.6%, Senegal 12.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.7%, Brazil 7.7%, Netherlands 5% (2008)