Republic of Gambia (capital Banjul) and its neighboring state, Senegal
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965.
Country Comparisons: chart
Factbook: "The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the People depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides."
Economic growth rate
2011: 5.5%
2010: 6.1%
2009 6.7%
Labor force in agriculture
1996: 75%
Export commodities
peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
Exports partner s
2009: India 40.8%, China 15.6%, France 11.9%, UK 6.6%, US 4.5%
Export/Import ratio
2011: exports $120.4 million, imports $394.4 million.
Gambia receives more aid per capita than most poor nations, much more than Ethiopia, for example.
Income Distribution – gini index
Ranks 23rd among 140 countries (higher rank number is more equal, lower rank number is less equal). Less equal than Britain, which ranks 94th, and the US, which ranks 45th.
Healthcare expenditures
2009: 10.1% of GDP
Living in an urban area
2010: 58%
Ethnic groups
2003 census: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
Religions
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Net migration rate
2012: A net loss of 2.46 persons per 1,000 people per year.
Literacy (age 15 and can read and write)
2003: male 47.8%, femaie 32.8%
Western Africa. A strip of land along the Gambia River. Twice the size of Delaware. Eighty kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Capital: Banjul.
Chief of state and head of government: Yahya Jammeh (president) since 22 July 1994, Sunni Muslim, Colonel, came to power in a military coup, Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction.
President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits). Unicameral National Assembly with 53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members serving five-year terms.)
of SenegalCopyright © 2009-2011 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.
