Best Countries

At a glance

Capital: Banjul

Official language: English

Currency: Dalasi

Continent: West Africa

The Smiling Coast of West Africa

You can relax well in Gambia – for example from a tour of West Africa

Location

According to Countryaah, the Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa. Located in West Africa, it has a sea access to the Atlantic and is completely enclosed by Senegal. Many travelers stop here after visiting many places in West Africa. The Gambia is a good destination as a destination or the start of a West Africa tour.

Background

Gambia’s beaches are famous far beyond its national borders, as are its drummers. Would you like to take a drum course for the djembe? Then Gambia is your next travel destination! Plus, getting ahead in Gambia is relatively easy. On the one hand because English is the official language in the country and on the other hand because the residents are very hospitable.

Important facts

Capital: Banjul

Official language: English

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Dalasi (100 bututs)

ISO 4217 code

GMD / 270

Geography

Continent: Africa

Region: west

Geo coordinates: N 13 ° 26 ‘35.5 “W -15 ° -18’ -36.5”

Highest mountain: unnamed (53 m)

Total area: 11,300 km²

Mainland: 10,000 km²

National border: 740 km

Coastline: 80 km

Politics

Dependency: Great Britain until 1965

UN member since: 1965

Other political affiliation: African Union

Form of government: Presidential Republic

Economy

Export goods: Peanuts, fish products

BSP: $ 512,000,000

GDP: $ 509,800,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 3,286,000,000

Economic growth: 6%

GDP share of agriculture: 28.4%

GDP share of industry: 14.6%

GDP share of services: 57%

Inflation rate: 10%

State budget revenue: $ 57,000,000

State budget expenditure: $ 67,800,000

Export: $ 148,000,000

Import: $ 218,000,000

Gold and currency reserves: $ 94,000,000

Electricity consumption: 154 million KWh

Oil consumption: 2,500 million m³

Cultivation area: 28.47%

Bovine: 306,600 pieces

Sheep: 158,000 pieces

Fishing: 35,700 t

Demographic data

Residents: 1,641,600

Residents in cities: 468,000

Average age: 17.7 years

0-14 years: 44.3%

15-64 years: 53%

> 65 years: 2.7%

Population growth: 2.84%

Birth rate: 39.37 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 12.25 / 1,000 residents

Migration: 1.29 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 1

Fertility: 5.3 Children / woman

Infant mortality: 71.58 ‰

Life expectancy men: 52.3 years

Life expectancy women: 56.03 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: GM

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: GMB

ISO 3166 numeric: 270

Top Level Domain: gm

IOC country code: GAM

UN / LOCODE: GM

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Communication

Telephone connections: 52,000

Cell Phones: 250,000

Radios: 620,000

TV: 14,000

Computer: 34,000

Internet users: 56,000

Transportation

Paved roads: 926 km

Cars: 18,000

Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 5

Health

Number of doctors: 150

Daily food intake: 2,340 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 8,100

Education

Illiteracy: 58%

History

Foundation: 1965

Last sovereign since: 1965

Religion

Main religious group: Muslims

Crime

Prison inmates: 500

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 1,000

Defense Spending: $ 1,500,000

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Banjul is served by Gambia International Airlines (GC) (Internet: www.gia.gm) and Ghana International Airlines (G0) (www8.fly-ghana.com).

From Germany, Lufthansa (LH) (Internet: www.lufthansa.com) flies code-share with Brussels Airlines via Brussels to Banjul.

Flight times

€ 10 (or US $ 10) included in the ticket price.

Departure fee

€ 20 or equivalent in Dalasi, payable in cash or with a Visa credit card when leaving Gambia. Children under two years of age are excluded.

Arrival by car

The Trans-Gambia Highway (480 km) connects Banjul with Dakar (Senegal). There is a car ferry connection between Barra and Banjul. In Farafenni, further up on the Gambia River, you can take the ferry across as there is no bridge. The ferries are often overcrowded. State buses as well as comfortable private coaches run between Banjul and Dakar. Shared taxis run between Barra and Dakar, fares should be agreed in advance. The border with Senegal is currently closed.

Arrival by ship

Banjul Port is the ferry port. There is a ferry connection between Banjul and Dakar in Senegal.

ON THE GO

On the way by car / bus

The road network is approx. 2700 km long, 450 km of which are paved, mainly the roads in and around Banjul. There are two main transport links: a tarred road along the south side of the Gambia River and a dust road along the north bank. Unpaved roads are often impassable in the rainy season. There is a new road connection between Banjul and Serekunda (a suburb of Banjul). The Trans-Gambia Expressway and the Combo Coastal Roads are currently being expanded. A warning is given before driving after dark.

Bus: Regional buses run between Banjul and several towns and villages in the area; however, the buses are often overcrowded.

Taxis:Available in front of most major hotels. City taxis are yellow, tourist taxis are green; the latter are available nationwide. Bush taxis can accommodate up to 7 people. The fare should be negotiated in advance.

Rental cars are available at the airport and in hotels.

Documents: The international driver’s license is accepted for stays of up to 3 months.

On the way by ship

There is a ferry connection on the Gambia from Banjul to the opposite town of Barra (travel time: approx. 30 minutes). The Gambia can be crossed by ferries in almost a dozen places across the country. If you are in the mood for boat and fishing trips, you should contact private providers on site who organize excursions, including dinner and a live band.