Discover Fascinating Gambia Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Gambia.

Gambia

Background

๐ŸŒ A Glimpse into The Gambia's History! ๐ŸŽ‰

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! ๐ŸŽˆ

๐Ÿค Between 1982 and 1989, The Gambia formed a short-lived Confederation with Senegal, known as the Confederation of Senegambia. Even though it didnโ€™t last long, it showed the desire for unity in the region!

๐Ÿ“… 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! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฒโœจ

Independence Year

1965

Years of Confederation with Senegal

1982-1989

Year of First Free Presidential Election

2016

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒด Exports - Commodities of Gambia ๐ŸŒด Gambia is known for exporting a variety of commodities! In 2022, the exciting list included:

  • ๐Ÿฅฅ Coconuts
  • ๐ŸŒฐ Brazil nuts
  • ๐ŸŒณ Wood
  • ๐Ÿฆช Shellfish
  • ๐Ÿ”ฉ Scrap iron
  • ๐ŸŸ Fish oil
    These products reflect the rich natural resources and the diverse economy of Gambia! ๐ŸŒ

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ 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% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • China: 23% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Italy: 7% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
  • Chile: 7% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
  • Portugal: 5% ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น

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! ๐Ÿ“Š

Total Percentage of Top 5 Export Partners

73%

Gambia's Export Partners (2022)

Capital

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐ŸŒŠโœจ

Imports - commodities

The Gambia relies on a variety of important commodities to meet its import needs. ๐ŸŒโœจ In 2022, some key commodities imported by The Gambia included:

  • Cotton Fabrics ๐Ÿงต
  • Rice ๐Ÿš
  • Raw Sugar ๐Ÿฌ
  • Poultry ๐Ÿ—
  • Palm Oil ๐ŸŒด

These imports are crucial for the daily lives of Gambians, providing food, clothing, and various necessities!

Climate

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ๐ŸŒค๏ธ

Executive branch

๐ŸŒŸ Executive Highlights of Gambia! ๐ŸŒŸ

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! ๐Ÿ—“๏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

๐Ÿ“œ Legislative Branch of Gambia ๐Ÿ“œ
Gambia has a unicameral National Assembly made up of 58 seats ๐Ÿ›๏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? ๐Ÿค”

Total seats in National Assembly

58

Natural resources

๐Ÿž๏ธ Gambia, The is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโ€™s 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! โœจ

These natural resources are crucial for trade and help in enhancing the living standards in Gambia, The! ๐ŸŒ

Economic overview

Gambia's economy is like a roller coaster ride! ๐ŸŽข Itโ€™s a low-income West African economy that heavily relies on agriculture. ๐ŸŒพ However, it faces some challenges, including a high poverty rate and also a problem with heightened inflation. ๐Ÿ“ˆ To help boost the economy, Gambia depends on foreign assistance and remittances from people working abroad. ๐ŸŒ Plus, the country is making some big changes with help from the IMF Extended Credit Facility program. ๐Ÿ”„ 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 ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฒ, 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! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ

Government Type

Presidential Republic

Ethnic groups

Gambia is a colorful tapestry of cultures woven together by various ethnic groups! ๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the different communities that make up this vibrant nation:

  • Mandinka/Jahanka: 33.3% ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo: 18.2% ๐Ÿ“‰
  • Wolof: 12.9% ๐Ÿฅณ
  • Jola/Karoninka: 11% ๐ŸŽ‰
  • Serahuleh: 7.2% ๐Ÿค
  • Serer: 3.5% ๐Ÿ‘ฅ
  • Other: 4% ๐ŸŒˆ
  • Non-Gambian: 9.9% ๐ŸŒ

These percentages tell a fascinating story about the people of Gambia, showcasing its diverse heritage and rich cultural landscape! ๐ŸŒบ

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 ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฒ, the majority of the population practices Islam, making it a significant part of the country's culture and daily life. ๐ŸŒ™ Hereโ€™s a peek at the religious landscape:

  • Muslims: 96.4% ๐Ÿ“ฟ
  • Christians: 3.5% โœ๏ธ
  • Other or None: 0.1% ๐Ÿšซ

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 ๐Ÿ“š. But that's not all! People also speak a variety of other languages including Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and many other indigenous vernaculars ๐ŸŒ. 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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Following China, Senegal contributed 12% of Gambia's imports, representing a significant relationship between the two nations. ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ณ India and Brazil each accounted for 8% of the imports, showing that Gambia knows how to diversify its trade. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Last but not least, the United States made up 5% of the imports. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Together, these countries play a vital role in supplying Gambia with the goods it needs! ๐Ÿ“ฆ

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŒŠ

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)

๐Ÿ’ฐ The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for Gambia has shown some growth in recent years! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ช

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

๐Ÿ“Š 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! ๐Ÿค‘

This shows a positive trend of growth in the economy. Letโ€™s visualize this data to see how it's been growing. ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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

๐ŸŒ Imports of Gambia, The: Let's take a look at how much Gambia has been bringing into the country over the past few years! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

  • 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! ๐Ÿ“Š

This shows a growing trend in Gambia's imports, which is super important for its economy! ๐ŸŽ‰

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

๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ๐Ÿ’ฐ 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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰ Letโ€™s keep an eye on how this number changes over time, as it can impact everything from schools to parks! ๐Ÿซ๐ŸŒณ

Population growth rate for Gambia

2.16%