Gambia - Tourism and Travel

The Republic of the Gambia is a country in West Africa on the Atlantic coast.

Gambia, sometimes known as "the Gambia" is the smallest country in mainland Africa. It consists of a strip of a land along the lower Gambia River with an area of only 4,361 square miles (11,295 square kilometers).

The country consists of savanna in the interior, mangrove swamps and sandy beaches.

There is a tropical climate.

Rain falls mostly in summer.

The capital of Gambia is Banjul.

1,705,000 people live in Gambia.

40% are Mandinka, 19% are Fulani, 15% are Wolof, 11% are Jola and 9% are Serahuli.

English is the official language. Mandinka, Fulani, Wolof, Soninke and Jola are also spoken.

90% of the people are Sunni Muslim, 9% are Christian and 1% practice traditional religions.

More than 70% of the people of Gambia are involved in farming.

Peanuts are the main export. Other major exports include oil palms, cotton and food corps.

There are important fishing and livestock rearing industries.

Tourism is an important source of foreign income.

Gambia has a presidential system of government.

The official currency is the dalasi, which equals 100 butut.