GAMBIA

CAPITAL Banjul
LANGUAGE OFFICIAL ENGLISH
 WOLOF
NATIVE LANGUAGE  PULAAR
 MANDINKA

LOCATION
 The Republic of The Gambia
The Republic of The Gambia is a nation in West Africa. It is
completely surrounded by Senegal, except at the mouth of the
Gambia River in the Atlantic Ocean.

His currency is Dalasi

GOVERMENT IN GAMBIA

1. The Gambia became an independent nation on February 18, 1965 under a constitution the
influenced by the British in content and form.
2. There are three constitutions in Gambia, but the current one is from 1997.
3. The Gambia is a republic. Its president is elected to a five years term.
4. The legislative power is held by the 53 members who serve five years term. Its president is
Adama Barrow who has served as President since 2017.
 COMMERCE
 Based by tradicional agriculture, besides peanuts Gambia’s exports
include cotton, rice and cattle.

 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock

 Tourism has grown in importance
 Small scale manufacturing activity of coconut, fish and animal hides
 Gambia is highly depent on foreign aid
 Main Historical Events of Gambia

 1906, SLAVERY was finally abolished.

 1959, the right to Vote, was extended to all adult citizens.

 1965, The Gambia becomes an independent country with Dawda Jawara as prime
minister.

 1830, The Gambia exports peanuts worldwide.

 VEGETATION

This is rich in jungle, swamp and mangroves. There are four types of mangroves: the red, the
white, the black and that which belongs to the mangroves. There are different kind of trees such
as baobabs tree, silk tree and prickly wattle. - The baobab has a very thick trunk, large white
flowers.

There are more than 1,000 kinds of plants in Gambia.

 SPORTS
Gambian people like football, they are affiliated to the “FIFA”, and “CAF”.

But other popular sports are:

 Basketball
 Athletics
 Cricket
 Softball and
 Wrestling

Some famous athletes are:

Badou Jack – boxing champion Pa Dembo Touray – football player
 ARTS IN GAMBIA

Dance and music are tied to

village activities.

Shows are regular in “harvest” and

during the dry season.

The musical performances are held by “griots” who not only provide
entertainment but also serve to preserve cultural traditions.

They make wood carvings, batiks, trade beads, gold and silver jewellery
 Curiosities Gambia.

 Do you know that …

 Gambia is even smaller than Yorkshire, England

GAMBIA YORKSHIRE

 They cross the river by ferry

 Even Gambia is really small, it is home to nice different tribes

 They don’t have sewage system.

 Also there’s close to 600 species of bird to look

 When they have elections, the vote using marbles.
 Gambia was the center of the slave trade

FOOD

As we have heard before the main agricultural products of The Gambia are rice and
groundnuts

 One of their principal dishes is Domada delicious stew based on a peanut

sauce.
 Another principal dish is Chiken Yassa: One of the most popular dishes
marinade of lemon, oil, onion and mustard, and the dish turns out to be tasty and
spicy. It is accompanied with rice or couscous, as well as various vegetables.

LANDMARKS
Most Visited Monuments In Gambia
1.Arch 22
The Arch 22 is the tallest structure in The Gambia. From the second floor, it is possible to
get great views over the whole of Banjul.

2. Banjul State House

The Banjul State House is the office of the country's president.

3. Wassu Stone Circles

This iconic monument in Gambia is certainly the most visited of them all. With the tallest
one measuring some 8 feet in height, the stones are huge and worth visiting.

LITERATURE
The first Gambian author was Phillis
Wheatley, a young woman captured in the
Senegambia region and taken to what is
now the United States as a slave, who
became a famous poet .
Gambia is the smallest country in Africa,
this town became famous for Alex Haley's
who wrote the book “ROOTS” which tells
his family story through seven generations.
 REGIONS OF THE GAMBIA
GAMBIA IS THE SMALLEST COUNTRY ON THE AFRICAN
CONTINENT, IS LOCATED ON THE ATLANTIC COAST OF AFRICA
AND IS SURROUNDED BY SENEGAL TERRITORY, IS DIVIDED INTO
5 ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS IN ADDITION TO ITS CAPITAL
BANJUL.

REGION CAPITAL
BANJUL BANJUL
CENTRAL RIVER JANJANBUREH
LOWER RIVER MANSA KONKO
NORTH BANK KEREWAN
UPPER RIVER BASSE
WEST COAST BRIKAMA
GAMBIA CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

1. Music and dance are very important in Gambian culture. Gambians love to dance to music
styles like mbalax, yankadi, and sabar.

2. Gambians are very skilled in making beautiful crafts like woven baskets, carved wooden
figures, and pottery. These crafts are sold in local markets and stores.

3. The Roots Festival is held in May and June in Banjul, the capital city, and it celebrates
African culture and unity.

Gambian Music:
1. Traditionally, Gambian music was performed by jails (griots).
Jails are singers-story tellers and instrumentalists who plays the kora, bala and bolonbata. A
famous jalis is Foday Musa Suso.
2. Gambian music was performed by the America, British and Cuban influence on 1960. Their
message is the social injustice and respect for all black people and claims for the equality and
justice.