Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

2 (2001)

Internet country code [time series]

.gm

Internet users [time series]

5,000 (2001)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2000)

Radios [time series]

196,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open wire international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

31,900 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

5,624 (2000)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (government-owned) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

5,000 (2000)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishery resources not fully exploited

Budget [time series]

revenues: $90.5 million expenditures: $80.9 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1 million (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

dalasi (GMD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

GMD

Debt - external [time series]

$440 million (2001 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$45.4 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, instability of the Gambian dalasi, and the stable political situation in Senegal have drawn some of the reexport trade away from Banjul. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the following two marketing seasons have seen significantly lower prices and sales. A decline in tourism from 1999 to 2000 has also held back growth. Unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high. Shortrun economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice, and on expected growth in the construction sector.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

69.8 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

75 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

dalasi per US dollar - 15.000 (January 2001), 12.729 (3d quarter 1999), 11.395 (1999), 10.643 (1998), 10.200 (1997), 9.789 (1996)

Exports [time series]

$125.8 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels

Exports - partners [time series]

Benelux 59%, Japan 20%, UK 7%, Spain 2% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 21% industry: 12% services: 67% (1998 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.9% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$202.5 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners [time series]

China (including Hong Kong) 49%, UK 15%, Netherlands 11.6%, Brazil 10%, Senegal 10% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.4% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

400,000

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Area [time series]

total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

80 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

150 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 18% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 28% other: 45% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

fish

Terrain [time series]

flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Banjul

Constitution [time series]

24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador George W. B. HALEY embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John P. BOJANG chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); 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 A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president elections: the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26 September 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH elected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 55.8%, Ousainou DARBOE 35.8%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 785-1430

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[220] 392475

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Government type [time series]

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Independence [time series]

18 February 1965 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly (49 seats; 45 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - APRC 33, UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] note: in August 1996 the government banned the following from participation in the elections of 1996: People's Progressive Party or PPP [former President Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile)], and two opposition parties - the National Convention Party or NCP [former Vice President Sheriff DIBBA] and the Gambian People's Party or GPP [Hassan Musa CAMARA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

NA

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

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, have completed a nominal return to civilian rule.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army (includes marine unit), National Police, Presidential Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$2.6 million (2001 est.)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2% (FY96/97)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 316,873 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 159,764 (2001 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45.22% (male 320,458; female 317,647) 15-64 years: 52.13% (male 364,900; female 370,717) 65 years and over: 2.65% (male 19,660; female 17,823) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

41.76 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

12.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.95% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

1,400 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

13,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

77.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 53.59 years male: 51.65 years female: 55.58 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 47.5% male: 58.4% female: 37.1% (2001 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

1,411,205 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.14% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 1.1 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.68 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Airports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 2,700 km paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1996)

Merchant marine [time series]

none (2000 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Banjul

Railways [time series]

0 km

Waterways [time series]

400 km

Gambia, The