Map Of The Gambia Created By The CIA

The map of The Gambia above comes from the CIA World Factbook

The Gambia Location Map

The Gambia Facts

Full Official Name: Republic of The Gambia
Demonym: Gambian

Flag:

Area

Total Area: 11,300 km²
Total Land Area: 10,120 km²
Total Water Area: 1,180 km²

Demographics

Population: 2,523,327

Population Growth Rate: 2.16% (2024 est.)

Largest City: Serekunda (Population: 19,944)

Ethnic Groups: Mandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.)

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Religions: Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)

Economy

Currency: Gambian dalasi

Real GDP at Purchasing Power Parity ($ PPP): $7.905 billion (2023 est.)

GDP per capita (PPP): $2,900 (2023 est.)

Exports Value Per Year: $267.377 million (2022 est.)

Biggest Export Partners: India 31%, China 23%, Italy 7%, Chile 7%, Portugal 5% (2022)

Imports Value Per Year: $829.516 million (2022 est.)

Biggest Import Partners: China 31%, Senegal 12%, India 8%, Brazil 8%, US 5% (2022)

Government

Type: presidential republic

Capital City: Banjul (Population: 31,301)

Other Facts

Time Zone: UTC (GMT) (DST is not observed)

Country Code: GM

Internet TLD: .gm

Climate Map Of The Gambia

Map created by Beck, H.E., McVicar, T.R., Vergopolan, N., Alexis, B., Lutsko, N.J., Dufour, A., Zeng, Z., Jian, X., van Dijk, A.I.J.M., Miralles, D.G.

Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Flag of The Gambia

Map created by Darwinek

Odd Shape?

The Gambia was included in my list of The 17 Oddest Shaped Countries In The World & How They Came To Be.

The Gambia has an extremely odd shape because it’s a very narrow, winding country entirely surrounded by Senegal—except on its short Atlantic coastline—making it appear as a thin strip or “finger” following the Gambia River inland.

Here’s clearly why The Gambia’s shape is odd and how it came about:

What’s Odd About The Gambia’s Shape?

It’s unusually long, thin, and winding:
- Approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) long but typically just 15–50 kilometers (9–30 miles) wide.
Completely surrounded by Senegal on three sides, making it an enclave-like nation.
Its borders closely follow the winding path of the Gambia River.

How The Gambia Got Its Odd Shape:

Colonial History (Main Reason):

The Gambia’s borders were primarily established through British-French colonial competition in West Africa during the 19th century.
The British sought control over the strategically important Gambia River for trade routes (particularly the slave trade, and later peanuts and other goods).
France controlled surrounding areas (modern Senegal), and negotiations between Britain and France resulted in borders narrowly following the river to minimize territorial disputes.

Strategic Importance of the Gambia River:

The river served as a critical artery for commerce, navigation, and colonial control.
Britain focused specifically on the river itself, uninterested in the interior lands, creating a narrow “river colony.”

European Boundary Negotiations:

Treaties such as the 1889 Anglo-French agreement established these unusual, river-based boundaries.
The agreements ensured Britain had control of the river without large territorial claims, causing the narrow shape we see today.

Consequences of The Gambia’s Odd Shape:

Administrative and logistical challenges: Infrastructure and governance can be complicated by narrow boundaries and dependence on river transport.
Economic dependency: Limited agricultural and resource-producing areas due to small width.
Close relationship with Senegal: Geography necessitates close political and economic cooperation or reliance on Senegal.