Gambia

gambiaThe Gambia is the smallest country in the mainland Africa, situated on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Although located in a Francophone region, English is Gambia’s official language as well as the medium of instruction in academic institutions. The country has rather a unique geographical setting. Except for a rather narrow opening to the Atlantic coast, Gambia it is a strip of land, completely surrounded by another country, Senegal, extending from the coast for about 300 miles to the east, with a width ranging from 15 to 30 miles, and with the River Gambia flowing in the middle of the strip. The population of Gambia is almost 1.8 million (2012), about one third of which lives below the international poverty level. The name of Gambia’s capital is Banjul.

Acknowledgements

  • Authored by M. Kalim Qamar (March 2014)
  • Edited by Burton E. Swanson