Gambia Travel Overview
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.