Background
The Gambia (officially The Republic of The Gambia) is in West Africa bordered to Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean. The river Gambia flows through the length of the country and is navigable. On the 18th of February 1965 the Gambia gains its independence from Britain and is a member of the Commonwealth and many International Organizations.
The Gambia is divided into five regions and two municipalities, the City of Banjul and Kanifing municipality. The five regions are the Western Region, Lower River Region, Central River Region, Upper River Region and the North Bank Region.
The Gambia has a population of 1,360,681 (2003 Census), 49.3% male and 50.7% female. The Gambia is a secular state but most people about 90% of the population are practicing Muslims. The Christians of various denominations constitute about 9% and the remaining 1% constitutes people who believe in other religions including non-believers. The principal ethnic groups are the Madinka, Wollof, Fula, Jola and Sarahule and each ethnic group speaks its own language but English is commonly spoken being the official language.
Geography
The Gambia, situated in the sahelian zone on the West Coast of Africa lies on coordinates 13 28 N and 16 34 W and has a total area of 11,300 square km. The Gambia River, the country's major waterway, raises in the Futa Jallon highlands an empties at the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia’s climate can be described as tropical with two distinct seasons. The rainy season (June to November) is hot with rains and the dry season (December to May) is cooler with dry wind called the Harmattan.
The topology is mainly flat and the landscape can be distinguished between the uplands and the lowlands. The upland plateaus are where weathered tropical soils are found. These soils have low intrinsic fertility and low water retention capacity, but their drainage conditions are good. The lowlands include the floodplain of the River Gambia in the upper valley, and tidal plains in the central and lower valleys. The soils of the lowlands are flat, fine textured and poorly drained.
The Government
The Gambia is a multi-party democratic republic. The President of the Republic, who is directly elected by universal adult suffrage is the Head of State and holds executive authority. Legislative authority is vested in a unicameral parliament called the National Assembly. The legal system is based on a composite of common law, Koranic law, and customary law. The judicial system is composed of lower courts such as the Magistrates Court, Khadis (Muslim) Courts, and District tribunals, and at the higher level, there is the Supreme Court and The Gambia Court of Appeal.
Administratively the country is divided into two municipalities, each headed by a mayor and five regions, each region headed by a Commissioner who is the administrative head. The regions are further sub-divided into 35 districts locally administered by Seyfos (chiefs) an each district covers a number of villages and settlements with an Alkalo as the village head.
Executive power is vested in the President who is also Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President appoints the Cabinet that include the vice-president, who is leader of government business in the House of Representatives.
Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, with 53 members: 48 elected and 5 nominated members. The speaker of the national assembly heads the parliament.
Other Info
Country Name: Republic Of The Gambia
Nationality: Gambian(s) – Noun
Gambian - Adjective
Capital: Banjul.
Major Towns: Serekunda, Brikama, Bakau, Farafenni, Georgetown, Basse.
Currency: Dalasi (GMD)
Time zone: GMT
Business Hours
Official: Monday to Thursday: 08:00 - 16:00. Friday 08:00- 12:30GMT
Banks: Monday to Thursday 08.00 -16:00 GMT
Friday 8.30 am - 13:30 and 13:30 - 16:00 GMT.
Country Codes
Telephone: (220)
Internet: .gm
Electricity: 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz.
