NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Republic of The Gambia
former: Federation of Senegambia (with Senegal)
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a new 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal |
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 28 N, 16 34 W |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly less than twice the size of Delaware |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km |
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Coastline:
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80 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 18 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
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Terrain:
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flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land: 19.5%
permanent crops: 0.5% other: 80% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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20 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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1,455,842 (July 2002 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 45.1% (male 329,530; female 326,627)
15-64 years: 52.3% (male 377,357; female 383,548) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 20,237; female 18,543) (2002 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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3.09% (2002 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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41.25 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Death rate:
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12.63 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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2.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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76.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 53.98 years
female: 56.01 years (2002 est.) male: 52.02 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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5.61 children born/woman (2002 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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1.95% (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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13,000 (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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1,400 (1999 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian |
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Ethnic groups:
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African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% |
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Religions:
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Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% |
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Languages:
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English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47.5% male: 58.4% female: 37.1% (2001 est.) |