Important and Interesting Facts about The Gambia

These Gambian facts are all taken from an article at https://www.onlinegambia.com/2019/05/12/important-and-interesting-facts-about-gambia/

• It is surrounded by Senegal, apart from a short strip of Atlantic coastline at its western end. It is the smallest country on mainland Africa.
• The country is situated on either side of the Gambia River, the nation’s namesake, which flows through the country’s centre and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Gambia has a tropical climate. There is a hot and rainy season, normally from June until November, but from then until May there are cooler temperatures with less precipitation.
• The Gambia’s beaches invite visitors to laze and linger on package tours, but there’s more than sun and surf. Fishing villages are nature reserves are within easy reach of the clamorous Atlantic resorts, ecolodges and small wildlife parks dot the inland, and it’s a bird lovers’
• The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood.
• The main crop that is cultivated in this country is peanuts. Even though the country exports peanuts, it still has to depend on foreign aid to help sustain itself.
• Jufureh, Juffureh or Juffure is a town in Gambia that is popular with tourists, lying 30 km inland on the north bank of the River Gambia in the North Bank Division. It is said to be where Alex Haley’s novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family is set. It is home to a museum and lies near James Island. A family claiming to be the descendants of Kunta Kinte still resides here.
• The Kachikally crocodile pool is located in the heart of Bakau about 10 miles (16 km) from the capital Banjul. It is one of three sacred crocodile pools used as sites for fertility rituals.The others are Folonko in Kombo South and Berending on the north bank.
• Janjanbureh or Jangjangbureh is a town, founded in 1832, on Janjanbureh Island in the River Gambia in eastern Gambia. It was formerly known as Georgetown and was the second largest in the country. It is now the capital of the Central River Division and is best known as home to Gambia’s main prison. The Wassu stone circles lie 22 km northwest of Lamin Koto, on the north bank across from Janjanbureh. It is one of Gambia’s more popular touri.
• Tourists enjoy sunbathing on pristine white beaches whilst bird watchers are attracted by 569 species of birds.

If you’d like to know more facts about The Gambia then visit:

👉 20 Facts About The Gambia That Will Surprise You | Building Futures in the Gambia

And if you’d like to know even more facts about The Gambia then visit its sequel article:

👉 30 More Fascinating Facts About The Gambia | Building Futures in the Gambia