Country Information on The Gambia

Terrain The country's landscape is so flat that in the River Gambia's 375 km meandering course, it drops in elevation only about 10 m. Saltwater sneaks in some 150 km upstream, as far as Kantaur in the dry season. The river is lined with mangrove swamps. On both sides of the river the country stretches inland, its width varying between three and fifty kilometres. Climate The Gambian climate is subtropical and characterised by a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from June to October, with August by far the rainiest month. In the dry season the hot, dry, and dusty harmattan winds from the Sahara blow. Average annual precipitation is between 1300 and 1600 mm. Temperatures are mildest along the coastline, and they do not vary as much as they do further inland. Temperature fluctuations may well be between 7 and 43°C in the course of one year in the country's interior. Fauna/Flora Gambia stretches along either side of the River Gambia, the river projecting the whole of the country's area. Mangroves dominate the riverside, especially in the estuary area, while further upstream there are flooded grasslands. Away from the river, the country's position in the southern Sahel, a semi-arid region south of the Sahara desert, means natural vegetation is more or less limited to dry grassland and open savannah. Leopards, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and several species of antelopes can be found as well. The Gambia has lost 91% of its forests, which were cleared in favour of agriculture or to obtain firewood. This led to the decimation of an enormous number of big game. Meanwhile several nature reserves have been set up. History/Politics The first human settlements in the area of present-day Gambia date back 10,000 years. However, urban settlements were only founded as late as the 2nd and 5th centuries AD. The 15th century marked colonization of the Malinke region together with the Kingdom of Mali and the foundation of numerous kingdoms controlling trade in coastal areas. In 1455 Portuguese explorers entered the region and soon established trading posts, turning the area into an important centre for trade in precious metals. Gambia being a prosperous stronghold on the routes to India, the Portuguese sold their trading rights to Britain in 1618, which turned it into a centre for slave trade. Religious wars in the 19th century led to simultaneous Islamization of Gambia and immigration of Muslims from other areas. Gambia lost its economic importance when slave trade was abolished. Although Gambia officially became a British crown colony in 1821, the area was not subject to promotion and development during the 19th century. The first political parties like the "People's Progressive Party" were formed after World War II. In 1954 Gambia was allowed some degree of self-administration and the first nationwide semi-free elections were held in 1962. The Gambia finally became independent in 1965. Sir Dawda K. Jawara won the elections in 1970, proclaimed a republic and introduced a presidential government system. He ruled the country until July 1994. In 1982 Senegal and The Gambia created the confederation of Senegambia with Senegalese President Abdou Diouf as president and Jawara as vice-president. The confederation led to closer economic cooperation. The confederation with Senegal collapsed in 1989, but a new friendship treaty was signed in 1991. In July 1994 a group of young officers overthrew Jawara's government and took control of the country. The coup leaders formed a Provisional Ruling Military Council of Patriotic Forces (PRCPF), led by Yahya Jammeh, who arrested two of his comrades on charges of promoting democratic reform. The European Union and Great Britain reacted by putting pressure on the PRCPF and called for the restoration of democracy. In October 1994 they even halted foreign aid, which eventually caused the PRCPF to promise new elections under a new constitution within four years. In 1996 Jammeh won presidential elections and carried out some reforms under the pressure of foreign countries. Economy The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depend on crops and livestock for their livelihood. Important for subsistence farming are the cultivation of rice and millet, and the raising of cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens. Peanuts are mainly grown for export; the sale of peanuts and peanut products accounts for approximately one third of export earnings. The government has promoted the cultivation of sisal, citrus fruits, and tobacco to increase the variety of agricultural products. On the coast fishing has some importance. Major industries are processing peanuts, fish and hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, and clothing. The Gambia has benefited from a rebound in tourism after its decline in response to the military's take-over in July 1994. Culture The Gambia's richest artistic tradition is music. For many centuries, musicians and griots, or praise-singers, have kept alive the tales of families and clans, giving peoples such as the Wolof and Mandinka their strong sense of history and identity. Many griots sing accompanied by tunes on the kora, and the Mandinka are particularly noted for their skill in making these instruments. Public holidays in The Gambia include New Year's Day (1 January), Independence Day (18 February), Easter (including Good Friday), Labour Day (1 May), and Christmas (25 December). Most of these holidays (except Labour Day) are celebrated with traditional dances and local wrestling events. Public Islamic holidays include Eid al-Fitr (Koriteh in Wolof; a three-day celebration at the end of Ramadan), Id-el-Kabir (Tobaski in Wolof; a sacrificial celebration in connection with a pilgrimage to Mecca every summer), and Maulud-el-Nabi (Gammo in Wolof; Mohammed's birthday). The Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, thus their dates differ from year to year.