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Gambia:
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Other pages in this profile of the Gambia:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
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. |
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Location |
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
Geographic coordinates |
13 28 N, 16 34 W |
Map references |
Africa |
Area |
total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
Area - comparative |
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware |
Land boundaries |
total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km |
Coastline |
80 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified |
Climate |
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
Terrain |
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m |
Natural resources |
fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum |
Land use |
arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
20 sq km (2003) |
Natural hazards |
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) |
Environment - current issues |
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent |
Environment - international agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |