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World > Africa > Gambia, The
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Gambia, The |
Introduction:
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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 A. J. J. 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 2006.
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| Official name: |
Republic of The Gambia |
| Capital: |
name: Banjul
geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Government type: |
republic |
| Population: |
1,688,359 (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars |
| Official Currency: |
Gambian Dalasi (GMD) |
| Currency code: |
GMD |
| Area: |
total: 11,300 sq km
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,300 sq km |
| Climate: |
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) |
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Map of Gambia, The
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