The 2001 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a new 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, have completed a nominal return to civilian rule.

      Gambia, The Geography

      Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and

       Senegal

      Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W

      Map references: Africa

      Area: total: 11,300 sq km

      land: 10,000 sq km

      water: 1,300 sq km

      Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

      Land boundaries: total: 740 km

      border countries: Senegal 740 km

      Coastline: 80 km

      Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 NM

      continental shelf: not specified

      exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM

      territorial sea: 12 NM

      Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

      Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills

      Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

      highest point: unnamed location 53 m

      Natural resources: fish

      Land use: arable land: 18%

      permanent crops: 0%

      permanent pastures: 9%

      forests and woodland: 28%

      other: 45% (1993 est.)

      Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1993 est.)

      Natural hazards: drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

      Environment - current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

      Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity,

       Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous

       Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,

       Ship Pollution, Wetlands

      signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

      Geography - note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

      Gambia, The People

      Population: 1,411,205 (July 2001 est.)

      Age structure: 0–14 years: 45.22% (male 320,458; female 317,647)

      15–64 years: 52.13% (male 364,900; female 370,717)

      65 years and over: 2.65% (male 19,660; female 17,823) (2001 est.)

      Population growth rate: 3.14% (2001 est.)

      Birth rate: 41.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

      Death rate: 12.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

      Net migration rate: 2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

      Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

      under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

      15–64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

      65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female

      total population: 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

      Infant mortality rate: 77.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

      Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.59 years

      male: 51.65 years

      female: 55.58 years (2001 est.)

      Total fertility rate: 5.68 children born/woman (2001 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.95% (1999 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (1999 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,400 (1999 est.)

      Nationality: noun: Gambian(s)

      adjective: Gambian

      Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

      Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

      Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

      Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

      total population: 47.5%

      male: 58.4%

      female: 37.1% (2001 est.)

      Gambia, The Government

      Country name: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia

      conventional short form: The Gambia

      Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule

      Capital: Banjul

      Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower

       River, Central River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

      Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK)

      National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

      Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997

      Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

      Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

      Executive branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

      head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

      cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president

      elections: the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26 September 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001)

      election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH elected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 55.8%, Ousainou DARBOE 35.8%

      Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (49 seats; 45 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

      elections: last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2002)

      election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APRC 33, UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2

      Judicial branch: Supreme Court

      Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation

       and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; National

       Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic

       Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA];

       United Democratic Party or UDP