Gambia, The

Broadcast media

state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 4 privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; foreign cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2007)

Internet country code

.gm

Internet hosts

1,453 (2010) country comparison to the world: 162

Internet users

130,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, approached 85 per 100 persons in 2009 international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable is scheduled for completion in 2011; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

49,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.433 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 140

Agriculture - products

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 38 11% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

27% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 27.92% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$90 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 -$81 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$530 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $489 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.2 (1998) country comparison to the world: 23

Economy - overview

The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base, and relies in part on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. About three-quarters of the population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale facilities. In the past few years, The Gambia's re-export trade - traditionally a major segment of economic activity - has declined, but its banking sector has grown rapidly. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high; economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. The quality of fiscal management, however, is weak. The government has promised to raise civil service wages over the next two years and the deficit is projected to worsen.

Electricity - consumption

148.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

160 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Exchange rates

dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 28.5193 (2010), 26.67 (2009), 22.75 (2008), 27.79 (2007), 28.066 (2006)

Exports

$107 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $95 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports

Exports - partners

India 42.06%, France 15.34%, UK 9.03%, China 7.38%, Hong Kong 4.55%, Belgium 3.97% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.04 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.406 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $3.244 billion (2009 est.) $3.073 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 30.1% industry: 16.3% services: 53.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $1,800 (2009 est.) $1,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 5.6% (2009 est.) 6.3% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)

Imports

$306 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 $280 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners

China 20.45%, Senegal 11.97%, Brazil 8.48%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.71%, Netherlands 4.68%, US 4.49% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

8.9% country comparison to the world: 21 note: although The Gambia had the highest industrial growth rate in the world in 2009, this growth is from a tiny industrial base (2010 est.)

Industries

processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 4.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Labor force

777,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 146

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Oil - exports

42 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Oil - imports

2,266 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$203 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $224 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$453.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $438.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$293.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $283.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$222.9 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 172 $210.2 million (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Area

total: 11,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 166 land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate

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

Coastline

80 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%) per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Geography - note

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km

Land use

arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Total renewable water resources

8 cu km (1982)

Administrative divisions

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Capital

name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Cindy GREGG embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Alieu Momodou NGUM chancery: Suite 240, Georgetown Plaza, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430

Executive branch

chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the junta; 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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6%

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace

Government type

republic

Independence

18 February 1965 (from the UK)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1

National anthem

name: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland" lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH] (the ruling party); Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2006.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 402,073 females age 16-49: 406,100 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 238,006 females age 16-49: 248,065 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 20,858 female: 20,762 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 139

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 389,877/female 386,218) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 472,216/female 479,595) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 24,985/female 25,190) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

37.31 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Death rate

12.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Education expenditures

2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 170

Ethnic groups

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

HIV/AIDS - deaths

600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Infant mortality rate

total: 67.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 22 male: 73.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 54.07 years country comparison to the world: 201 male: 52.32 years female: 55.86 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Median age

total: 18 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.2 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Population

1,824,158 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Population growth rate

2.528% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Religions

Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2004)

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: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.96 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Urbanization

urban population: 57% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007)

Airports

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 211

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 5 country comparison to the world: 130 by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Banjul

Roadways

total: 3,742 km country comparison to the world: 159 paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)

Waterways

390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2008) country comparison to the world: 90