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Sub Saharan Africa

Gambia

 Flag of Gambia, The

Last reviewed: 25 November 2009

Country information

Map of The Public of The Gambia

Area: 11,295 sq km - The smallest country on mainland Africa
Population: 1.8 million (est 2009)
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. Religious tolerance is good.
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 (47 of the 53 elected seats)
Head of State: Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh
The President is both the Head of State and Head of Government
Foreign Minister: Ousman Jammeh.
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).  

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