Gambia, The

Broadcast media

state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 4 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2007)

Internet country code

.gm

Internet hosts

656 (2012) country comparison to the world: 179

Internet users

130,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate microwave radio relay and open-wire network; state-owned Gambia Telecommunications partially privatized in 2007 domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity, aided by multiple mobile-cellular providers, is roughly 80 per 100 persons international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; a landing station for the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) undersea fiber-optic cable is scheduled for completion in 2011; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

64,200 (2012) country comparison to the world: 159

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.526 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 151

Agriculture - products

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (manioc), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

revenues: $230.7 million expenditures: $271.2 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 21 11% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

28% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 28% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-152.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $-112.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$481.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $466.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.2 (1998) country comparison to the world: 22

Economy - overview

The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits and a limited agricultural base, and relies in part on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. About three-quarters of the population depends on the agricultural sector for its livelihood and the sector provides for about one-quarter of GDP. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa, boosted by government and private sector investments in eco-tourism and upscale facilities. In 2012, however, sluggish tourism led to a decline in GDP. Tourism brings in about one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture also took a hit in 2012 due to unfavorable weather patterns. The Gambia's re-export trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high. Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders continue to be concerned about the quality of fiscal management and The Gambia's debt burden.

Exchange rates

dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 32.08 (2012 est.) 29.46 (2011 est.) 28.01 (2010 est.) 26.64 (2009) 22.75 (2008)

Exports

$111.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $113.4 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels

Exports - partners

China 57.1%, India 18.6%, France 4.6%, UK 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$895.7 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.409 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $3.239 billion (2011 est.) $3.383 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 88.3% government consumption: 10.9% investment in fixed capital: 18.9% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 28.5% imports of goods and services: -46.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 19.1% industry: 13.1% services: 67.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $1,800 (2011 est.) $2,000 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 -4.3% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

17.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 23.6% of GDP (2011 est.) 23.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)

Imports

$365.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $337.5 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners

China 27.6%, Senegal 8.5%, Brazil 8.1%, UK 6.4%, India 6.1%, Indonesia 4.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

2.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Industries

processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 4.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

777,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 151

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

48.4% (2010 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$236.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $223.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$512.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $487.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$386.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $380.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$217.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $220.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

425,600 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - consumption

213.9 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Electricity - installed generating capacity

62,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - production

230 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 141

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,181 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Refined petroleum products - exports

41.62 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,434 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Area

total: 11,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 167 land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,295 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate

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

Coastline

80 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.09 cu km/yr (41%/21%/39%) per capita: 65.77 cu m/yr (2005)

Geographic coordinates

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Geography - note

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

Irrigated land

50 sq km (2011)

Land boundaries

total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km

Land use

arable land: 39.82% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 59.73% (2011)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified

Natural hazards

drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Natural resources

fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Total renewable water resources

8 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Capital

name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997; amended several times, last in 2009 (2009)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard T. YONEOKA embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Baboucarr JARROW (since 25 June 2013) chancery: Suite 240, Georgetown Plaza, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 342-0240

Executive branch

chief of state: President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Yahya JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya JAMMEH 71.5%, Ousainou DARBOE 17.4%, Hamat BAH 11.1%

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green; red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue represents the Gambia River, and green symbolizes forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace

Government type

republic

Independence

18 February 1965 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 other justices); note - court sessions held with 5 justices judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement age subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - APRC 51.8%, independents 38.8%, NRP 9.4%; seats by party - APRC 43, independents 4, NRP 1 note: except for the NRP, all opposition parties boycotted the 29 March 2012 legislative elections

National anthem

name: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland"

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya JAMMEH] (the ruling party) Gambia People's Democratic Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ] National Alliance for Democracy and Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH] National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA] National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat BAH] People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH] United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Environment Agency or NEA West African Peace Building Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA Youth Employment Network Gambia or YENGambia other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2011.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 423,306 females age 16-49: 438,641 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 315,176 females age 16-49: 347,017 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 20,508 female: 20,853 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.7% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 153

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 39.2% (male 369,966/female 367,285) 15-24 years: 21.1% (male 196,194/female 201,206) 25-54 years: 32.5% (male 299,837/female 312,864) 55-64 years: 4% (male 36,330/female 38,464) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 28,722/female 32,183) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

32.59 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 103,389 percentage: 25 % (2006 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.8% (2006) country comparison to the world: 49

Contraceptive prevalence rate

13.3% (2010)

Death rate

7.38 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 93.5 % youth dependency ratio: 88.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 4.6 % potential support ratio: 21.6 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 85% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 15% of population total: 11% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 112

Ethnic groups

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Health expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 154

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 67.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 20 male: 73.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.09 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 61.78 years female: 66.47 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.1% male: 60.9% female: 41.9% (2011 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2013)

Major urban areas - population

BANJUL (capital) 436,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 29

Median age

total: 19.9 years male: 19.6 years female: 20.2 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian

Net migration rate

-2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 138

Physicians density

0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

1,883,051 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Population growth rate

2.29% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Religions

Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 70% of population rural: 65% of population total: 68% of population unimproved: urban: 30% of population rural: 35% of population total: 32% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 8.6 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.98 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Urbanization

urban population: 57.3% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 9,042 (Senegal) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, children, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to the Gambia for sexual exploitation, particularly catering to European tourists seeking sex with children; some Gambian trafficking victims have been identified in neighboring West African countries and the UK; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - The Gambia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has sustained its modest anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, opening some investigations but failing to initiate any prosecutions or to formally identify any victims; a government program was launched providing resources and financial support to 12 Koranic schools on the condition that their students are not forced to beg (2013)

Airports

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 216

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 4 country comparison to the world: 132 by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Banjul

Roadways

total: 3,740 km country comparison to the world: 159 paved: 711 km unpaved: 3,029 km (2011)

Waterways

390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2010) country comparison to the world: 89