A Country of Contrasts - The Gambia

Written by Ben Kesp

River Gambia. Source: Culture Trip

Its peculiar shape as a result of territorial agreements between England and France has given The Gambia its distinctive look along the Gambian River. A country that until recently I knew nothing of, is only about 25 to 50 kilometres wide and extending to a length of about 480 kilometres. This West African country can boast for having spectacular beaches lining the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, but the country is not only known for its beaches, but is also the ancestral home of Kunta Kinta, the character from the novel “Roots” by Alex Haley, whose ancestor was a Gambian man, enslaved and taken to America. The character was also portrayed in the movies of 1977 and 2016, where the Kunta Kinta was played by both LeVar Burton (Star Trek) and John Amos in the original ABC miniseries.

The Gambia. Source: World Atlas

Having gained its independence from England in 1965, The Gambia is completely surrounded on all other sides by the country of Senegal and its economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and exports of peanut production (Britannica, 2022), along with fish, cotton lint and palm kernels. Its capital city is Banjul, the centre of administration and is the most densely populated metropolitan area in the country, reaching an estimated 400,000 inhabitants.

Capital City of Banjul. Source: Nations Online Project

The Gambia is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, with most Gambians living in rural villages, near the coastline. Its people live in a diverse world of contrasts, with a large divide between rich and poor. Major ethnic groups consist of Mandinka, Fula, Wolof and Jola (Nations on Line, 2022). English is the main language and more than 95% of the population are Muslims.

The country’s wildlife is diverse consisting of warthogs, monkeys, antelope and pygmy hippopotami, just to mention a few, but it is, its birds that are the greatest attraction for international visitors, consisting of over 500 species. This fantastic array of species can be found in places like the Bijilo Forest Park on the Atlantic coast, in the Abuko Nature Reserve and the River Gambia National Park near the port town of Kuntaur.

Gambian Coast Line. Source: Fleewinter

Described as “small, fragile country in West Africa” by the World Bank (2022), economic growth in 2019 has been strong due to increase in the tourism sector, however there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure all citizens are given equal opportunities. Electrification is at around 53% for the West African country and much investment from the World Bank financing has been given to education in recent times, with a focus on the primary sector.

What does the future hold for the Gambian people in a country that forms an enclave within another? A country of beaches, diverse plant life, birds and not to forget a famous literary character. Diverse ethnicity, history, an array of bird species are just part that make up this country of contrasts.