Gambia, The: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Gambia, The |
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Background:
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The Gambia 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 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. |
| Geography | Gambia, The |
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Location:
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Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 28 N, 16 34 W |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of Delaware |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km |
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Coastline:
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80 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM contiguous zone: 18 NM continental shelf: not specified |
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Climate:
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tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
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Terrain:
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flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land: 19.5%
permanent crops: 0.5% other: 80% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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20 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa |