About The Gambia

Summary

The Gambia is a West African country shaped by the river that gives it its name. It borders Senegal to the north, south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

People and shared heritage

Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahule, Serer and other communities have helped shape Gambian life. The original article emphasises their long history of migration, trade, intermarriage and shared political life. Its central message is that mutual respect and cooperation matter more than ethnic divisions.

A brief historical overview

Before colonial rule, the region contained several states with connections across what are now national borders. British trading settlements expanded during the nineteenth century, followed by colonial administration. The Gambia became independent on 18 February 1965 and a republic in 1970.

Politics and public memory

The archive traces the 1994 military coup, the subsequent elections and the opposition coalition’s victory in 2016. It also introduces the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, created to investigate abuses during Yahya Jammeh’s rule. These sections are historical accounts, rather than a guide to today’s officeholders.

Explore further

Follow the links on this site to discover Gambian culture, the Senegambian stone circles, nature reserves and historical documents. The Bantaba Forum offers a separate space for community discussion.

Photographs from the archive

Edited from the original Gambia.dk archive. Historical information reflects the period described.