 The
Gambia, in the Western most tip of Africa, is
encircled by its neighbouring country Senegal on all sides (map)
apart from the Atlantic side, and
for this reason the two countries have a lot of
cultural & ethnic ties. In contrast to
Senegal, a former French colony, The Gambia was
colonised by Britain
and gained its independence on 18 February, 1965,
when it then adopted the
National Anthem. The Gambia,
in contrast to many of its West African neighbours, it has enjoyed
lengthy spells of stability since independence.
 Geographically
the small country is situated on the Atlantic coast at the bulge of Africa.
It is a thin strip of mainly low plateau, which decreases in height as
it nears the Atlantic coast. The plain is broken in a few places by
the river and its tributaries. Mangrove swamps, park-like savannah and
unspoiled beaches all feature in The Gambia’s landscape.
In contrast to its all-enveloping neighbour, Senegal, and the massive
nations surrounding them, Gambia looks like a sliver in the side of
Africa. True, it ranks among the continent's tiniest countries, but
its attractions are just as bright and bold-faced as any in the
region. Its capital city, Banjul, is a uniquely African experience,
with a bustling marketplace and enough street side culture to chase
away the holiday daze of glitzier cities. And for an even more
'traditional' outlook, a quick trip upriver brings you into the
Gambian heartland, where the colourful buzz of weekly
markets vies
with boat trips through mangrove creeks and bike jaunts to mud-hut
villages for your time and appreciation.
Although the country is largely defined by its natural features - from
the Gambia River, which runs the length of the country, to the golden
beaches of its Atlantic coast resorts - the country's greatest draw
lies in its people, their culture and the amiable atmosphere of daily
life. Whether you're making conversation at a kerbside coffee stall or
shouting yourself hoarse at a weekend wrestling match, you're sure to
come away with as warm a feeling for Gambians as they tend to show to
travellers.
This stability, however, has not translated into prosperity. Despite
the predominance of the Gambia river, which runs through the middle of
the country, only one-sixth of the land is arable and the poor nature
of the soil makes it suitable mostly for one
crop - peanuts. The major
domestic export products of The Gambia consists of
groundnut products,
cotton, fish and fish products,
fruits and vegetables. Over the past
couple of years the country has experienced significant economic
growth primarily driven by the construction
sector of the economy.
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 The country is heavily dependent on peanut
exports and as a result is a hostage to fluctuations in the
production and world prices of the crop.
Consequently, it suffers from poor health conditions
and relies on foreign aid to fill gaps in its balance of
payments.
 The
economy has a narrow industrial base and is also a low
food-producing nation. Thus it has little option but to resort
to importing most products for consumption. The Gambia is a net
food importing country particularly, rice, sugar, flour, milk,
tomato paste and it gets all fuel supplies from abroad. The
re-export trade continues to play an important role in The
Gambian economy, particularly in trading with countries in the
ECOWAS region of West Africa.
 In 1994, the elected
government was toppled in a
military coup.
The country returned to constitutional rule two years later when
its military leader ran as a civilian and won presidential
elections (disputed).
In 2000, the country saw a foiled coup, the killing of student
demonstrators, and charges of murder being brought against
opposition leaders - all this against the background of the
collapse of the peanut-marketing system.
The current president is Yahya Jammeh.
 Born in 1965, Yahya Jammeh joined the army in 1984 upon leaving
school. After serving with Gambian peacekeepers in Liberia, he
returned and, together with a group of veterans who had not been
paid, ousted the elected president, Dawda Jawara, who had led
the country since independence.
At age 36 he won a second term in the October 2001 presidential
elections, which earned the approval of foreign observers.
He gained 53% of votes cast against less than 33% for his main
rival Ouassainou Darboe, a prominent human rights lawyer.
The only national television station is run by the government.
Between 2005 to 2007 the country experienced accelerated growth
rates
in the economy largely driven by the building construction sector of the economy.
Many new roads and hotel accommodation
establishments have been built and street lights have been
installed on many junctions.
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