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| Overview | People | Geography | Economy | Government | Communications | Transport | Military | Map |
| Country | Gambia, The |
| Flag |  |
| Capital | name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Population | 1,782,893 (July 2009 est.) |
| GMT | GMT |
| Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal see map |
| Area | total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
| 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 |
| Government type | republic |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Internet country code | .gm |
