Gambia13.64° N, 15.00° W
749 km of land border against just 80 km of coast — this country faces its neighbors far more than it faces the sea.
coastline 80 km · 162nd/229 · land borders 749 km · 129th/230
CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · ranks computed across the countries in this atlas that carry the value
geometry: Natural Earth 1:50m · EPSG:6933 equal-area
Each line is every country in this atlas that carries the value, ordered smallest to largest. The line down the middle is the world median; the mark on each line is this country.
Its name comes from the Gambia River, which flows through the country. Portuguese explorers in the 15th century derived the river's name from its local name, Ba-Dimma, meaning "the river".
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Almost an enclave of Senegal, Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland. It borders the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal in Western Africa. Its terrain is a flood plain of the Gambia River, flanked by some low hills.
Its natural resources include fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, and zircon. An unnamed elevation southeast of the town of Sabi is the highest point. The Atlantic Ocean is the lowest point.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
A mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law is the legal system. Government takes the form of a presidential republic. The current constitution was adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, and took effect 16 January 1997. Independence from the UK took place on 18 February 1965. Independence Day is the national holiday on 18 February.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Three equal horizontal bands mark the flag: red at the top, blue with white edges in the middle, and green at the bottom. Red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue for the Gambia River, and green for forests and agriculture. The white stripes denote unity and peace, while the lion is the national symbol.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
CIA World Factbook
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