Interesting facts about Gambia

The Gambia is located on the west coast of the African continent and, at 11,295 km², is its smallest area state with a length of about 480 kilometers and a width of only about 50 kilometers. Apart from the coast, the Gambia is surrounded by Senegal, which is twenty times larger and has a total of 2.3 million inhabitants.

​

The climate is tropical with a distinct rainy and dry season. The dry season lasts from November to May.

The geographical position of the country, combined with the extensive wetlands, ensures a large number of diverse plant species. Approximately 530 different plant species are known in the Gambia. However, there is a lack of water, technology and money for sensible seed for productive agriculture.

 

There is currently no state health system in the Gambia. People have to pay for every medical service themselves. If they can raise the money for the doctor, then that is usually of no use to them, since there is no money for prescribed medication. Due to the prevailing bitter poverty, large parts of the population are hardly able or not at all able to pay for medical treatment or therapy.

​

The Gambia cannot offer commercially attractive sights or animal safaris, the secret attraction is the people, their colorful culture and the multitude of different bird species. It is definitely recommended for tourists to leave the hotel complex and go inland. Here, however, you should definitely pay attention to the cloths you wear. If possible, men should not go out on the street without outer clothing and in shorts, women should not wear shorts or skirts.

​

Gambia's currency is the Dalasi, its sub-unit is called Butut. Since a currency decline combined with ever more expensive goods prevails, the butut can only be found in exceptional cases.

In The Gambia, a colorful variety of ethnic groups live peacefully side by side. The Gambians are very friendly people who will do their best to strike up a conversation with a stranger. The largest population group is that of the Mandinka with a share of about 40 percent, followed by the Fulbe and the Wolof. A share of a quarter is distributed among the remaining ethnic groups.

 

The be-all and end-all in The Gambia is greeting! If you observe the locals, you can see that the greeting rituals are very extensive. Extensive questions are asked about how the women, the mother and the children are doing. The greeting is a sign of respect. The official language since independence has been English. In the coastal region one can communicate well in English. In the hinterland you sometimes have to search a little longer until you find someone who understands English.

​

Since many different ethnic groups live in Gambia, who are mainly defined by their own language, they speak several languages fluently or at least can make themselves understood in them. Over 20 different languages are spoken in the small country of The Gambia. The most common is the Mandinka.

The Gambia's population is 90 percent Muslim, 9 percent Christian, and about 1 percent adheres to traditional African religions.

 

There is a calm and peaceful coexistence between all religions. The Gambia is a secular state that encourages respect for all cultural and traditional values. This condition guarantees freedom for all to practice the religion of their choice.