Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11,295 sq km
country comparison to the world: 167
land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,295 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation 53 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 39.82%
permanent crops: 0.44%
other: 59.73% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50 sq km (2011)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.09 cu km/yr (41%/21%/39%)
per capita: 65.77 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,883,051 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 93.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 88.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 4.6 %
potential support ratio: 21.6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.9 years
male: 19.6 years
female: 20.2 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.29% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.59 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.38 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 57.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BANJUL (capital) 436,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 29
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 64.09 years
country comparison to the world: 176
male: 61.78 years
female: 66.47 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.98 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.3% (2010)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 154
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.8% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 49
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 112
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 51.1%
male: 60.9%
female: 41.9% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8.6 years (2008)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 103,389
percentage: 25 % (2006 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Banjul
geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997; amended several times, last in 2009 (2009)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Yahya JAMMEH] (the ruling party)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Environment Agency or NEA
other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Baboucarr JALLOW (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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard T. YONEOKA (since August 2012)
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland"
lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE
note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.409 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$895.7 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 19.1%
industry: 13.1%
services: 67.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (manioc), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
777,100 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 151
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 75%
industry: 19%
services: 6% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.4% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50.2 (1998)
country comparison to the world: 22
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $230.7 million
expenditures: $271.2 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 21
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$217.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$512.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$386.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-152.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$111.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 57.1%, India 18.6%, France 4.6%, UK 4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$365.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 27.6%, Senegal 8.5%, Brazil 8.1%, UK 6.4%, India 6.1%, Indonesia 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$236.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$481.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dalasis (GMD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
230 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
213.9 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 134
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,181 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.62 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,434 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 141
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
425,600 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64,200 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 159
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.526 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 151
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gm
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
656 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 179
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
130,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 150
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 216
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,740 km
country comparison to the world: 159
paved: 711 km
unpaved: 3,029 km (2011)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 89
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 132
by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Banjul
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Office of the Chief of Defense Staff: Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Republican National Guard (RNG) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 423,306
females age 16-49: 438,641 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 315,176
females age 16-49: 347,017 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 20,508
female: 20,853 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 9,042 (Senegal) (2012)