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The Gambia

Islamic Republic of the Gambia
Republic of The Gambia

Flag of The Gambia
Coat of arms of The Gambia
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Progress, Peace, Prosperity"
Location of The Gambia
Capital Banjul
13°28′N 16°36′W / 13.467°N 16.600°W / 13.467; -16.600Coordinates: 13°28′N 16°36′W / 13.467°N 16.600°W / 13.467; -16.600
Largest city Serekunda
Official languages English
National languages
Ethnic groups (2003)
Demonym Gambian
Government Unitary presidential republic
• President
Adama Barrow
Fatoumata Tambajang
Legislature National Assembly
Independence
• from the United Kingdom
18 February 1965
Area
• Total
10,689 km2 (4,127 sq mi) (164th)
• Water (%)
11.5
Population
• 2013 census
1,882,450
• Density
176.1/km2 (456.1/sq mi) (74th)
GDP (PPP) 2016 estimate
• Total
$3.387 billion
• Per capita
$1,664
GDP (nominal) 2016 estimate
• Total
$886 million
• Per capita
$435
Gini (1998) 50.2
high
HDI (2013) Steady 0.441
low · 172nd
Currency Dalasi (GMD)
Time zone GMT (UTC+0)
Daylight Saving Time
is not observed
Drives on the right
Calling code +220
ISO 3166 code GM
Internet TLD .gm

The Gambia (Listeni/ˈɡæmbi.ə/), officially the Islamic Republic of The Gambia or Republic of the Gambia, is a country in West Africa that is entirely surrounded by Senegal except for its coastline on the Atlantic Ocean at its western end. It is the smallest country in mainland Africa.

The Gambia is situated on either side of the Gambia River, the nation's namesake, which flows through the centre of The Gambia and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 10,689 square kilometres (4,127 sq mi) with a population of 1,882,450 at the April 2013 census (provisional). Banjul is the Gambian capital, and the largest cities are Serekunda and Brikama.

The Gambia shares historical roots with many other West African nations in the slave trade, which was the key factor in the placing and keeping of a colony on the Gambia River, first by the Portuguese, during which era it was known as A Gâmbia. Later, on 25 May 1765, The Gambia was made a part of the British Empire when the government formally assumed control, establishing the Province of Senegambia. In 1965, The Gambia gained independence under the leadership of Dawda Jawara, who ruled until Yahya Jammeh seized power in a bloodless 1994 coup.


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