Discover Fascinating Gambia Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Gambia.
Gambia
Background
๐ A Glimpse into The Gambia's History! ๐
The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. This was a huge moment for the country as it stepped onto the global stage! ๐
๐ค Between 1982 and 1989, The Gambia formed a short-lived Confederation with Senegal, known as the Confederation of Senegambia. Even though it didnโt last long, it showed the desire for unity in the region!
๐ Fast forward to 2016, The Gambia held its first free and fair presidential election, leading to improved relations with the US. This was another significant step towards building a brighter future for the nation! ๐ฌ๐ฒโจ
Independence Year
1965
Years of Confederation with Senegal
1982-1989
Year of First Free Presidential Election
2016
Exports - commodities
๐ด Exports - Commodities of Gambia ๐ด Gambia is known for exporting a variety of commodities! In 2022, the exciting list included:
- ๐ฅฅ Coconuts
- ๐ฐ Brazil nuts
- ๐ณ Wood
- ๐ฆช Shellfish
- ๐ฉ Scrap iron
- ๐ Fish oil
These products reflect the rich natural resources and the diverse economy of Gambia! ๐
Exports - partners
๐ Gambia's exports are a significant part of its economy, and in 2022, the country had several key partners. Here's a quick look at the top partners for Gambia's exports:
- India: 31% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- China: 23% ๐จ๐ณ
- Italy: 7% ๐ฎ๐น
- Chile: 7% ๐จ๐ฑ
- Portugal: 5% ๐ต๐น
As you can see, India takes the lead by a large margin, followed by China. Together, these partners make up a whopping 54% of Gambia's exports! ๐
Total Percentage of Top 5 Export Partners
73%
Gambia's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital of Gambia is Banjul! This bustling city sits on an island at the mouth of the Gambia River and is known for its vibrant culture and history. ๐โจ
Imports - commodities
The Gambia relies on a variety of important commodities to meet its import needs. ๐โจ In 2022, some key commodities imported by The Gambia included:
- Cotton Fabrics ๐งต
- Rice ๐
- Raw Sugar ๐ฌ
- Poultry ๐
- Palm Oil ๐ด
These imports are crucial for the daily lives of Gambians, providing food, clothing, and various necessities!
Climate
๐ Gambia has a tropical climate which means it's warm and sunny most of the time! โ๏ธ There are two main seasons to enjoy: a hot, rainy season from June to November, and a cooler, dry season from November to May. This makes Gambia a fantastic spot for various outdoor adventures all year long, whether you're splashing in the rain or basking in the cooler dry season! ๐ฆ๏ธ๐ค๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ Executive Highlights of Gambia! ๐
In the beautiful country of Gambia, the Executive branch is led by President Adama BARROW, who has been in office since 19 January 2022. The head of government is Vice President Mohammed JALLOW, who took on his role recently on 23 February 2024. These leaders make important decisions to guide the nation!
Keep an eye on these dates; they are significant milestones in Gambia's leadership! ๐๏ธ
Current Chief of State
President Adama BARROW
President Took Office
19 January 2022
Current Head of Government
Vice President Mohammed JALLOW
Vice President Took Office
23 February 2024
Legislative branch
๐ Legislative Branch of Gambia ๐
Gambia has a unicameral National Assembly made up of 58 seats ๐๏ธ. This means that there is only one house where the lawmakers gather to make important decisions for the country. Each member plays a vital role in shaping the laws and policies that affect the lives of the Gambian people. Isn't it interesting how a small number of representatives can make such a big impact? ๐ค
Total seats in National Assembly
58
Natural resources
๐๏ธ Gambia, The is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโs what can be found in this beautiful country:
- Fish: A vital resource for the economy and diet of many Gambians!
- Clay: Used in pottery and construction, clay plays an important role.
- Silica Sand: Essential for various industrial purposes, including glass making!
- Titanium (in the forms of rutile and ilmenite): Talented for its strength and used in various high-tech applications.
- Tin: A valuable metal used in alloys and coatings.
- Zircon: Known for its use in ceramics and as a gemstone! โจ
These natural resources are crucial for trade and help in enhancing the living standards in Gambia, The! ๐
Economic overview
Gambia's economy is like a roller coaster ride! ๐ข Itโs a low-income West African economy that heavily relies on agriculture. ๐พ However, it faces some challenges, including a high poverty rate and also a problem with heightened inflation. ๐ To help boost the economy, Gambia depends on foreign assistance and remittances from people working abroad. ๐ Plus, the country is making some big changes with help from the IMF Extended Credit Facility program. ๐ Let's explore these intriguing aspects of Gambia's economy!
Economic Type
Low-income
Dominant Sector
Agriculture
Poverty Status
High poverty rate
Inflation Status
Heightened inflation
Dependence on Foreign Assistance
Yes
Structural Reforms
Conditioned by IMF
Government type
In the beautiful country of Gambia ๐ฌ๐ฒ, the government type is a presidential republic. This means that the President is the head of state, and they are also in charge of the government. It's a system where the people have a voice and can vote to choose their leader! ๐ณ๏ธ
Government Type
Presidential Republic
Ethnic groups
Gambia is a colorful tapestry of cultures woven together by various ethnic groups! ๐ Let's take a look at the different communities that make up this vibrant nation:
- Mandinka/Jahanka: 33.3% ๐
- Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo: 18.2% ๐
- Wolof: 12.9% ๐ฅณ
- Jola/Karoninka: 11% ๐
- Serahuleh: 7.2% ๐ค
- Serer: 3.5% ๐ฅ
- Other: 4% ๐
- Non-Gambian: 9.9% ๐
These percentages tell a fascinating story about the people of Gambia, showcasing its diverse heritage and rich cultural landscape! ๐บ
Total Ethnic Groups Percentage
100%
Largest Ethnic Group
Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%
Smallest Ethnic Group
Serer 3.5%
Ethnic Groups in Gambia
Religions
In The Gambia ๐ฌ๐ฒ, the majority of the population practices Islam, making it a significant part of the country's culture and daily life. ๐ Hereโs a peek at the religious landscape:
- Muslims: 96.4% ๐ฟ
- Christians: 3.5% โ๏ธ
- Other or None: 0.1% ๐ซ
These figures are from the 2019-20 estimates, showing a strong religious identity rooted in Islam.
Percentage of Muslims
96.4%
Percentage of Christians
3.5%
Percentage of Other or None
0.1%
Religious Composition of The Gambia
Languages
In Gambia, the official language is English ๐. But that's not all! People also speak a variety of other languages including Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and many other indigenous vernaculars ๐. This rich tapestry of languages shows the cultural diversity of Gambia and how communication flows through many voices.
Official Language
English
Languages Spoken
Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Other Indigenous Vernaculars
Imports - partners
๐ Looking at Gambia's trading partners, we see a colorful mix of countries contributing to its imports! In 2022, China topped the list, bringing in a whopping 31% of all imports! ๐จ๐ณ Following China, Senegal contributed 12% of Gambia's imports, representing a significant relationship between the two nations. ๐ธ๐ณ India and Brazil each accounted for 8% of the imports, showing that Gambia knows how to diversify its trade. ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ง๐ท Last but not least, the United States made up 5% of the imports. ๐บ๐ธ Together, these countries play a vital role in supplying Gambia with the goods it needs! ๐ฆ
Top Import Partner
China (31%)
Second Import Partner
Senegal (12%)
Third Import Partner
India (8%)
Fourth Import Partner
Brazil (8%)
Fifth Import Partner
United States (5%)
Gambia's Import Partners Breakdown (2022)
Population
๐ Let's dive into the exciting world of The Gambia's population! Currently, The Gambia has a total population of 2,523,327 people! That's a lot of faces and stories in one small country! ๐ This number shows how many vibrant lives are contributing to the culture and economy of The Gambia. Isn't it amazing to think about all the different families, traditions, and dreams packed into this number?
Total Population
2,523,327
Area
๐ Area of Gambia, The
The Gambia is a small country located in West Africa, known for its diverse ecosystems and rich culture. Here's a quick look at the area of this vibrant nation:
- Total Area: 11,300 sq km
- Land Area: 10,120 sq km
- Water Area: 1,180 sq km
Isn't it fascinating? Gambia has a lot of land where people and wildlife thrive, as well as beautiful water bodies! ๐
Understanding these areas helps us appreciate the natural beauty and resources available in Gambia.
Total Area of Gambia
11,300 sq km
Total Land Area of Gambia
10,120 sq km
Total Water Area of Gambia
1,180 sq km
Area Distribution in Gambia, The
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฐ The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for Gambia has shown some growth in recent years! ๐ Let's take a look at the estimated values:
- 2021: $7.156 billion
- 2022: $7.508 billion
- 2023: $7.905 billion
This steady increase indicates a positive trend in the Gambia's economy! ๐๐ช
GDP in 2023
7.905 billion USD
GDP in 2022
7.508 billion USD
GDP in 2021
7.156 billion USD
Real GDP Growth in Gambia (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at Gambia, The and how its Real GDP per capita has changed in the last few years! The Real GDP per capita is the economic output per person, which helps us understand how much each person in Gambia is earning on average.
Here's what we have:
- In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $2,700.
- By 2022, it increased slightly to $2,800.
- In 2023, it rose again to $2,900! ๐ค
This shows a positive trend of growth in the economy. Letโs visualize this data to see how it's been growing. ๐
2021 Real GDP per capita
2700 USD
2022 Real GDP per capita
2800 USD
2023 Real GDP per capita
2900 USD
Real GDP per capita in Gambia (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Imports of Gambia, The: Let's take a look at how much Gambia has been bringing into the country over the past few years! ๐
- In 2020, Gambia imported $690.979 million.
- In 2021, the imports rose to $726.23 million.
- By 2022, imports reached an estimated $829.516 million! ๐
This shows a growing trend in Gambia's imports, which is super important for its economy! ๐
Total Imports in 2022
$829.516 million
Total Imports in 2021
$726.23 million
Total Imports in 2020
$690.979 million
Gambia's Imports Over Years
Exports
๐ Let's take a colorful look at the exports of Gambia! Over the years, Gambia's export numbers have been interesting to follow:
- In 2022, Gambia exported a whopping $267.377 million!
- In 2021, the total was $142.652 million.
- Going back to 2020, the exports were about $175.682 million.
Clearly, there's been a big jump from 2021 to 2022! ๐ฎ๐ฐ Check out how these numbers compare visually below!
Total Exports in 2022
$267.377 million
Total Exports in 2021
$142.652 million
Total Exports in 2020
$175.682 million
Gambia's Exports Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐ The population growth rate for Gambia is estimated to be 2.16% in 2024! This means that Gambia's population is growing, and more people means more fun and more culture! ๐ Letโs keep an eye on how this number changes over time, as it can impact everything from schools to parks! ๐ซ๐ณ
Population growth rate for Gambia
2.16%