A narrow country on the western coast of Africa, the Gambia was renowned as a stable democracy until an army coup in 1994. Agriculture accounts for 65% of GDP, yet many Gambians are leaving rural areas for the towns, where average incomes are four times higher. Its position as a semi-enclave within Senegal seems likely to endure, following the failure of an experiment in federation in the 1980s.

Until the 1994 coup, led by Lt. Col. Yahya Jammeh, the 1962–1994 government of President Sir Dawda Jawara had tried to offset minority resentment of the Mandinka's domination of politics, distributing political offices fairly according to ethnic origins. Jammeh, a fervent Muslim, is from the minority Jola (or Diola) community, numerous across the border in Senegal, where they are active in a local rebellion. About 85% of Gambians follow Islam, although there is no official state religion. There is a yearly influx of migrants, who come from Senegal, Guinea, and Mali to trade in groundnuts. The Gambia is still a very poor country, with 80% of the labor force engaged in agriculture. Women are active as traders in an otherwise male-dominated society.

Strengths

Low tariffs make the Gambia a focus of regional trade. Natural deepwater harbor at Banjul, one of the finest on the west African coast. Well-managed economy, favorably viewed by donors.

Weaknesses

Small size of market can inhibit investment. Smuggling: deprives government of significant revenues. Lack of resources, little agricultural diversification; consequent overreliance on groundnuts, the main crop.

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) was in government from 1962 until 1994, for most of which time the Gambia was one of Africa's few democracies. A ban, imposed after the 1994 coup on the PPP and the three main parties which had been in opposition, was lifted in 2001 in time for elections.

During the army's coup, Sir Dawda Jawara took refuge aboard a visiting US warship, and he then went into exile in Britain. The coup's leaders claimed that it had been initiated in a bid to end corruption and pledged to preserve democracy. In the new government several portfolios went to civil servants who had served in the Jawara administration. Military leader Yahya Jammeh was elected president in controversial elections in September 1996, and the following January his APRC won the majority of seats in a parliamentary election. Second terms for both Jammeh and the APRC were secured in 2001–2002.

Commonwealth and Western criticism of the 1994 coup which brought President Jammeh to power has softened over recent years, but international concern was reawoken by an apparent crackdown on opponents following Jammeh's reelection in 2001. Relations with Senegal have been troublesome since the end of federation in 1989.

The Gambia National Army, with two infantry battalions, takes about half of the defense budget; the rest finances the 600-strong gendarmerie. Most arms are bought from the UK, although supplies are now increasingly coming from Nigeria too. A defense pact with Senegal collapsed along with the federation in 1989.

The Gambia river is one of Africa's few good waterways, but it is underused owing to its separation from its natural hinterland by the Gambia–Senegal border. Irrigation is at present provided by a single dam; plans for further dams for power generation have met with opposition. Oil deposits are believed to exist offshore.

The impact of tourism and of overfishing in Gambian waters are major concerns, as are desertification and deforestation.

The river Gambia carries more traffic than the roads – ships of up to 3000 tonnes can reach Georgetown. Yundum airport was upgraded by NASA in 1989 for US space shuttle emergency landings.

Most people have access to basic medicines, but these are no longer free. Advanced medical care in the public sector is limited. A nationwide HIV/AIDS awareness campaign was launched in 2002.

The aims are to increase enrollment to 75% in primary and 20% in secondary schools, and to improve teacher quality. A university was established in 1998.

Crime levels are relatively low in what is a peaceful society compared with many other states in the region.

Public service and the professions have created wealth and some people are comfortably off, but great wealth is not a feature of Gambian life. Unemployed young men in Banjul are regarded as the underclass.

Ecotourism is being developed, but most of those enjoying the beaches and resort-hotel life are Europeans escaping winter, including many single women.

Mandinka traders brought Islam in the 13th century and were the main influence until the 18th century. The 1700s and 1800s saw colonial rivalry between Britain and France.

• 1888 British possession.
• 1959 Dawda Jawara founds PPP.
• 1965 Independence from Britain.
• 1970 Republic; Jawara president.
• 1982–1989 Federation with Senegal.
• 1994 Jawara ousted in army coup.
• 1996 Yahya Jammeh wins presidential election.
• 2000 Military coup foiled.
• 2001 $2 million antipoverty program launched by government.
• 2002 Jammeh's party sweeps parliamentary elections.