Gambia
Africa Β· Capital: Banjul
How it is run: Gambia is a member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly. Use the research links below to find out exactly who makes the laws there.
Gambia is home to 2.8 million people in Western Africa, where people speak English.
Numbers that tell a story π’
π₯ People
2.8 million people
That is about 348 people out of every million on Earth (counted in 2025).
πΊοΈ Land
10,689 kmΒ²
About the size of a small US state such as Vermont or New Hampshire.
ποΈ How crowded
About 264 people per square kilometre β busy towns with countryside in between.
π Size in its region
42nd most people in Africa
50th largest by land in Africa.
π£οΈ Official languages
English
π° Money
dalasi (D)
Life here today π©Ί
These come from World Bank open data β the same numbers governments use when they argue about budgets.
β€οΈ How long people live
66.1 years on average
Doctors, clean water and food supply all change this number over time.
πΌ Money made per person each year
about US$919
A lower-income country: money for schools, clinics and roads has to stretch a very long way.
π’ Living in cities
65% of people
Many people still live in villages and farming towns.
π Kids under 15
39.7% of the population
A very young country β schools have to be built quickly.
Everyday details π§
π Phone code
+220
Dial this before the number to call from another country.
π Websites end in
.gm
π§ People here are called
Gambian
π·οΈ Name at home
Gambia
Also written: Republic of the Gambia.
π Coast or inland
Has a coastline
ποΈ UN voting group
African Group
Countries in the same group often plan votes together.
Neighbours & borders π€
Gambia touches 1 neighbour by land. Neighbours share rivers, roads and usually a lot of trade.
Say its name around the world π£οΈ
Countries have different names in different languages. Try these with a penpal.
Spanish
Gambia
French
Gambie
Arabic
ΨΊΨ§Ω Ψ¨ΩΨ§
Chinese
εζ―δΊ
Japanese
γ¬γ³γγ’
Russian
ΠΠ°ΠΌΠ±ΠΈΡ
Portuguese
GΓ’mbia
German
Gambia
Put it in perspective π
- Nigeria β the most populated country in Africa β has about 84.2Γ as many people as Gambia.
- Gambia covers roughly 102 times the area of Hong Kong Island.
- If everyone in Gambia lined up shoulder to shoulder, the line would stretch about 1,411 km.
Fast facts π§
Fact of the day: The capital of Gambia is Banjul β that's where the country's big decisions get made.
π·οΈ Official name
Republic of the Gambia
ποΈ Capital
Banjul
π Region
Africa Β· Western Africa
π€ Country code
GM
ποΈ UN status
UN member state
π© Independence
Independent country
More about Gambia π
π§ Where on the map
13.5Β° N, 16.6Β° W
π Half of the world
Northern & Western hemisphere
π°οΈ Clock check
Roughly UTC-1 β when it is noon in London it is about 11:00 in Banjul.
- Gambia is an independent country, meaning it makes its own laws.
- Gambia shares its part of the world with Benin. Countries close together often trade the most with each other.
- The capital of Gambia is Banjul β that's where the country's big decisions get made.
- π¬π² is the flag of Gambia. Its country code β the short name used on the internet and at the Olympics β is GM.
- Gambia is a full member of the United Nations, so it gets one vote in the General Assembly β the same as every other member, big or small.
Countries nearby π€
Talk about it π¬
- Gambia has 1 official language. How would your school day change if lessons were taught in more than one language?
- Gambia can trade by sea. What should a country protect first: its ports, its fishing waters, or its beaches?
- If Gambia spoke at the General Assembly tomorrow, what one problem should its delegate ask the world to help fix?
Quick quiz π§ͺ
Guess first, then tap to check your answer.
What is the capital of Gambia?
Banjul
Which money do people spend in Gambia?
dalasi (D)
How many countries share a land border with Gambia?
1 β Senegal.
Roughly how many people live in Gambia?
2.8 million people
Keep researching π
Everything here is a starting point. These trusted sites, databases and libraries will take you further β and they are the kind of sources a teacher will accept in a report.
Start here β kid-friendly encyclopedias π
Short articles written for students, with maps and photos you can use in a report.
Official data & government sources ποΈ
Primary sources. Cite these when your teacher asks for real data.
News & current policy π°
Use two different outlets before you decide what you think.
Your library card π«
Libraries give you books, databases and librarians β all free.
Library tip: Ask your school or public librarian for their online databases (like Gale in Context or EBSCO Explora). Your library card unlocks them for free at home, and they are already checked by adults for school use.