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.
Population
1,824,158 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:147
Nationality
Noun:Gambian(s)
Adjective:Gambian
Ethnic groups
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Religions
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Country Name
Conventional long form:Republic of The Gambia
Conventional short form:The Gambia
Government Type
republic
Capital
Name:Banjul
Geographic coordinates:13 27 N, 16 34 W
Time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
Legal system
based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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 the World 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%
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
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
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
International organization participation
ABEDA, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Embrima J. KUJABI
Chancery:Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Telephone:[1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425
FAX:[1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador Barry L. WELLS
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
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
