The Republic of The Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa. Generally known as The Gambia, the nation was named for the Gambia River, which meanders into the African interior, with the borders of the country following the course of the river and the river valley.
Except for an Atlantic coastal region, The Gambia is surrounded by Senegal. The two main roads through the country, North Bank Road and South Bank road, follow the path of the Gambia River on either side. Its largest cities, Brikama, Bakau, Banjul, Farafenni, Lamin, and Sukuta, are located near the coast, except for Farafenni, which is north of the river and about halfway between the country's eastern and western border.
The first people to settle along the Gambia River were the Jola, and indications are that the banks of the river have been inhabited for many thousands of years. As far back as 500 AD, there were towns and villages along the river, whose inhabitants practiced agriculture and used iron tools. Between the 400s and the 700s, the region was populated by the Serahule, whose descendants make up about 10% of the population of The Gambia today.
In the 1300s, the Mali Empire controlled a wide area of Africa that included The Gambia, and it was during this time that Islam was introduced to the region. By the early 1400s, however, the Mali Empire had dwindled, and no longer held control of The Gambia. In the mid-1400s, a group of Mandingo people had moved into the river valley from Sierra Leone, and soon dominated the region, bring strong Islamic beliefs with them.
Like much of West Africa, the first Europeans to insert themselves were the Portuguese, who came in 1455. On their first trip up the Gambia River, they were pushed back by angry local inhabitants before they had gone more than a few miles. The same group returned the following year, and made it about ten miles before being driven back. Although the Portuguese never established a settlement in any part of The Gambia, they monopolized trade along the West African coast through the 1500s.
Before long, the Portuguese had concentrated their trade efforts on the slave trade, enjoying a near monopoly on West African slave trading until the British joined them in the mid-1500s.
The Portuguese established an outpost for its slave trading activities on James Island, a small island on the Gambia River, which changed hands several times as other European powers vied for control of the slave trade and, by the 1650s, Portugal had been ousted by the French and the British. In 1651, the Germans built a fort on the island. They were ousted ten years later by the British, who were themselves often under attack from the French, from pirates, and from mainland African kings. With the construction of new forts near what is now Banjul, at the mouth of the river, Fort James had lost its significance, although it continued to serve as a slave collection point until the slave trade was abolished. The island is now known as Kunta Kinteh Island.
In 1765, The Gambia formed part of the British Colony of Senegambia. In 1783, most of the region was ceded to France, while The Gambia section was no longer a colony but was placed in the control of the Royal African Company, a British trading company that was mostly engaged in the slave trade. When Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807, they established a settlement called Bathurst, which later became Banjul, for the purpose of preventing slave-trading ships from entering the Gambia River.
The Gambia River Valley became a British Protectorate in 1820, becoming a crown colony in 1886, after which Britain and France formed the boundaries between the then French colony of Senegal and Gambia. Under British settlement, Gambia began producing peanuts, which were, until then, a South American crop. Today, peanut exports remain a significant part of the economy of The Gambia.
Gambians began clamoring for the right to rule themselves after World War II. Political parties were formed and, through peaceful means, Britain granted independence to The Gambia in 196, although the Queen remained as titular head of state. In 1970, The Republic of The Gambia was formed.
The first decade of independence was peaceful, but a coup was attempted in 1981, and a successful coup came about in 1994, which resulted in what most people described as a military dictatorship. There were elections, but opposition party leaders were jailed prior to the election. Another coup was attempted in 2006, which the government of The Gambia believes Senegal was complicit in, straining relations between the two countries. The current president, who was elected in 2016, has made some promising overtures toward a restoration of a democratic republic in The Gambia.
English is the country's official language, but the use of French and indigenous languages is widespread
Recommended Resources
The directory of the Republic of The Gambia includes an overview of the country, its history, defense, ethnic groups, economy, agriculture, cuisine, and climate, as well as its travel and tourism assets. Other resources include information and links to third-party resources pertaining to guest accommodations in The Gambia, restaurants, businesses, property and real estate, healthcare facilities, schools, government services and facilities, and others.
http://www.accessgambia.com/
Built in 1938, the Bansang Hospital is the chief referral hospital for the Central and Upper River regions of The Gambia and has been undergoing improvements since 1992. This site constitutes an appeal for monetary and other support for the work of the hospital and includes a history of the facilities, its core objectives and values, charity status, awards, projects, and achievements, as well as an appeal for monthly or one-time contributions. A newsletter may be subscribed to.
http://bansanghospitalappeal.org/
Gambia Telecommunications Company
Gamtel is a state-owned company and the primary provider of telecommunications services in the Republic of The Gambia. A profile of the organization and its organizational structure are stated, along with its branches, corporate responsibilities, Internet, telephone, and co-location services, including 3G, fiber, ADSL2, and VPN, web hosting services, broadband, and Internet cafe services. Various forms may be downloaded from the site.
http://www.gamtel.gm/
Ministry of Information & Communication Infrastructure
The government agency has a number of responsibilities, including the preparation of general communications policies, the preparation of draft legislation and universal service policies for submission to the Secretary of State, and the representation of The Gambia to state, regional, and international organizations, unions, and commissions. Its departments, line agencies, programs, and projects are posted, along with press releases and contacts.
http://www.moici.gov.gm/
Republic of The Gambia, Office of the President
The official government website introduces the president of the West African country, including statements made by the president, his participation in ceremonial activities, media advisories, and the text of his speeches and interviews, as well as news of the president or the country, photographs, video, and contacts. Official visits by the president to constituent regions and state visits are included.
https://statehouse.gov.gm/
Created and maintained as a hobby by a native of the Central River Division of The Gambia, on the West Coast of Africa, the unofficial guide to the Republic of The Gambia includes an introduction to the author, and a profile of the country, the text of its national anthem, and a directory of websites relating to the country. Attractions and events within The Gambia are highlighted, and an online discussion forum is included.
http://www.gambia.dk/
