Gambia
Africa · Western Africa
Overview
The Gambia is a narrow, elongated country in West Africa stretching along both banks of the Gambia River, almost entirely surrounded by Senegal except for a short stretch of Atlantic coastline. The country covers an area of about 11,300 square kilometers, making it the smallest country on mainland Africa. Britain administered the territory as a colony until 1965, and English remains the official language today, though numerous local languages, including Mandinka and Wolof, are also widely spoken. The Gambia's borders roughly follow the course of the Gambia River, a result of a colonial-era compromise between British and French spheres of influence.
Banjul, the capital, lies at the mouth of the Gambia River and is a relatively small, quiet capital, with colonial-era buildings and the Arch 22 monument serving as sites of historical and political memory. James Island and related sites along the Gambia River, historical landmarks of the transatlantic slave trade, have formed a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003. Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, gained international recognition through Alex Haley's novel Roots, which traces the author's family history. Serekunda, the country's largest town, offers a glimpse into everyday Gambian life through its lively market and craft shops.
The wetlands and mangrove forests along the Gambia River offer excellent birdwatching, with more than 560 recorded bird species in the country, making the Gambia one of West Africa's most popular birdwatching destinations relative to its small size. Kiang West National Park, along the river, no longer has elephants but is home to numerous monkey species, antelope, and crocodiles. The Atlantic coastline, particularly the beaches around Serekunda and Kotu, forms a hub of West African beach tourism, popular mainly among British and Scandinavian visitors. Local cuisine is built around rice and fish, with domoda, a meat dish in peanut sauce, and benachin, a one-pot rice dish with vegetables and fish, as signature dishes.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites
James Island and Related Sites present a testimony to the main periods and facets of the encounter between Africa and Europe along the River Gambia, a continuum stretching from pre-colonial and pre-slavery times to independence. The site is particularly significant for its relation to the beginning of the slave trade and its abolition. It also documents early access to the interior of Africa.
Stone Circles of Senegambia
The site consists of four large groups of stone circles that represent an extraordinary concentration of over 1,000 monuments in a band 100 km wide along some 350 km of the River Gambia. The four groups, Sine Ngayène, Wanar, Wassu and Kerbatch, cover 93 stone circles and numerous tumuli, burial mounds, some of which have been excavated to reveal material that suggest dates between 3rd century BC and 16th century AD. Together the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over more than 1,500 years. It reflects a prosperous, highly organized and lasting society.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Gambia?
The capital of Gambia is Banjul.
What is the area of Gambia?
The area of Gambia is 10,689 km².
What is the population of Gambia?
The population of Gambia is 2,759,988.
What is the currency of Gambia?
The currency of Gambia is dalasi (GMD).
What is the official language of Gambia?
The official language of Gambia: English.
What side of the road does Gambia drive on?
Gambia: Right-hand traffic.
Is Gambia a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Gambia is a member of the United Nations.