Gambia, The
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Banjul
- Population
- 2,523,327 (2024 est.)
- Area
- 11,300 sq km
- Government
- presidential republic
- Languages
- English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
- Religions
- Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 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.)
- Currency
- dalasis (GMD)
- Life Expectancy
- 68.4 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .gm
- 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, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon
- Major Exports
- packaged medicine, cars, harvesting machinery, refined petroleum, trailers (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara.