The Gambia is a republic in West Africa. Capital, Banjui; area about 10 600 sq km (4090 sq miles). The Gambia, formerly a British colony, became independent in 1965 and is the smallest country in Africa.
It is a tiny, narrow nation spanning just 50 miles of Atlantic coastline. Political disturbances led to the formation of a close defensive connection with neighboring Senegal. The country consists of little more than the valley of the Gambia River.
Rice is grown on what used to be mangrove swamps, and peanuts are the main export. The capital, formerly called Bathurst, is an attractive city; but upstream, the climate is very hot and humid. The region hosts over 600 species of birds, drawing nature enthusiasts from around the world.
The Gambia is famous for being the smallest country in mainland Africa, known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa” due to its warm hospitality and narrow shape that follows the River Gambia. The country earned this nickname from its friendly locals, peaceful culture, and pleasant coastal weather.
It holds deep historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade, notably Kunta Kinteh Island (a UNESCO World Heritage site), popularized by Alex Haley’s famous novel Roots. The nation uses a distinct democratic voting system where citizens drop a glass marble into a metal drum labeled with a candidate’s photo instead of marking paper ballots.
Content for this question contributed by Caryn Franklin, resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
