Sub Saharan Africa

Gambia
Last reviewed: 25 February 2009

Country information

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Map of The Public of The Gambia

Area: 11,295 sq km
Population: 1.5 million
Capital City: Banjul (approximate population: 50 000)
People: The Gambia is made up of several ethnic groups, including the Mandinka (the largest), the Fula, the Wolof, the Jola and the Serahuli.
Language(s): English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and other indigenous languages are widely spoken.
Religion(s): The Gambia is predominantly Muslim, but there is a significant Christian community and indigenous beliefs are also practised.
Currency: Dalasi (GMD)
Major political parties: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC); National Reconciliation Party (NRP); People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS); United Democratic Party (UDP); the People's Progressive Party (PPP); the National Convention party (NCP); the National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM).
Government: The Gambia is a republic under multi-party democratic rule. The APRC currently holds a huge majority (45 of the 48 elected seats)
Head of State: Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh
The President is both the Head of state and Head of Government
Foreign Minister: Lamin Kaba Bajo.
Membership of international groupings/organisations: African Development Bank, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), African Union (AU), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).