Gambia Country

Introduction
Don't overlook the Gambia - it's small but full of delights. Gambia is a sliver in the side of Africa, one of its tiniest countries, but its attractions are just as bright as any in the region. The capital city, Banjul, is a uniquely African experience, with good-humoured locals and a streetside culture that chases away the holiday daze of glitzier cities.

For an even more 'traditional' outlook, a quick trip upriver brings you into the Gambian heartland, where the colourful buzz of weekly markets vies for your attention with boat trips through mangrove creeks and bike jaunts to mud-hut villages.

'One thing that has not been associated with Islam, but is connected, is the blues. The music of the Muslims of West Africa can be directly linked to the blues in notes, tones and blending of style.' - Sylviane Diouf

Geography:
With a total area less than that of the Bahamas or the US state of Connecticut, Gambia ranks as one of the smallest countries in the big lump that is West Africa. Its boundaries resemble a long and winding length of intestine, roughly 35km (20mi) wide and 300km (185mi) long, with the Gambia River, the country's most notable geographical feature, dividing the nation lengthwise, neatly in two. Gambia's western boundary is the Atlantic Ocean; otherwise, the country is entirely engulfed by Senegal. The country's landscape is so flat that in the Gambia River's 450km (280mi) meandering course, it drops in elevation only about 10m (30ft). The river ecology is easily divided into two distinct zones, estuarine and freshwater, which largely determine the peripheral vegetation pattern. Salt water sneaks in some 150km (95mi) upstream, as far as Kantaur in the dry season (November to June). In the lower estuary, mangroves dominate the riverside, with extensive reed belts in the in-between zone; where the water is fresh, the banks are lined with gallery forest. Away from the river, Gambia's position in the southern Sahel, a semi-arid region south of the Sahara Desert, means that natural vegetation is more or less limited to dry grassland and open savannah.

Destination Facts
Capital: Banjul
President: Yahya Jammeh
Government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
Time zone: GMT +0
Area: 11300
Population: 1688359
People: African (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African (1%)
Languages: Muslim (90%), Christian (9%), indigenous beliefs (1%)
Currency: Dalasi (D)
Major industries: processing peanuts, fish and hides; tourism; beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Major Trading Partners: India, UK, Indonesia, Senegal, Belgium, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Brazil, US, Netherlands
Country Dialing Code: 220

Getting there
The best time to travel in Gambia is from November to February, when conditions are dry and relatively cool. Around this time of year, however, the dry, dusty harmattan winds blow off the Sahara. During the wet season (June to October), popular tourist areas are less crowded and cheaper, though the rains can make some of the smaller dirt roads inaccessible, and diseases, including malaria, are more widespread. The peak tourist season lasts from October to April, which coincides with visiting migratory birds.Catch the International Roots Festival in late June and/or early July.

Getting there and away
Gambia's main airport is Banjul International, about 20km (12mi) southwest of the city centre and 15km (9mi) southeast of the Atlantic coast resorts. It's served by scheduled and charter flights to/from western Europe and other African states, with connections to other parts of the world. An airport tax of around 7.00 is levied upon leaving Gambia and is payable in any hard currency. With Senegal surrounding Gambia on all sides save the western coastline, getting in and out of the country by land often involves a change of vehicle at the border - there's little love lost between Senegalese drivers and Gambian policemen. The best way to get to Dakar is via the border in Karang. Ziguinchor is usually reached via Brikama and the border crossing at Seleti.

Getting around
There are two main routes through the country: the potholed tar road along the southern side of the river and the washed out dirt road along the northern bank. Both are in a disastrous state, though the northbank road is a slightly better option. Unfortunately, most public transport tends to travel along the southbank road so, unless you have your own wheels, you might have little choice in the matter. There's no comfortable way of travelling upcountry, but seven-seat bush taxis are preferable by far to the battered minibuses that do the same trip. Around the Atlantic coast, your transport choice is between yellow 'town taxis' and green 'tourist taxis'. The latter can also go upcountry, and are about three times more expensive than 'town taxis'. The Gambia River is rarely used as a means of transport, but if you've got the cash, invest it in an upriver trip with a company such as Hidden Gambia or Gambia River Experience. It might well be the most amazing thing you'll do on your holiday. Car rental agencies are present in major tourist areas, though this is an expensive business, particularly if you want to travel outside the tourist zones. It's invariably cheaper to negotiate with a local taxi driver, just make sure that the car is in a good state, as breaking down on the roads upcountry is enough to make grown men weep.

Visa:
Visas are not needed by nationals of Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ecowas or Scandinavian countries for stays of up to 90 days. For those needing one, visas are normally valid for one month and are issued in two to three days; you'll need to provide two photos. To find out whether you need a visa, email: enquiries@gambiatourism.info. An application form can be printed out from www.gambia.com. Last-minute travellers can sometimes be allowed to enter and obtain a proper visa by submitting their passport to the immigration office in Banjul and making a demand. However, it's much safer to arrive with all your papers in order. Bajul's immigration office also handles requests for extensions.

Weather
The Gambian climate is characterised by a long dry season (November to May) and a short rainy season (June to October), with August by far the rainiest month. Average high temperatures range from 24 ° C (75 ° F) between December and February, to 32 ° C (89 ° F) between November and March - this is the least rainy (and the most sunny) time of the year. Temperatures are mildest along the coast, and the amount and duration of rainfall lessens as you head inland. Humidity is only a problem just before the rains begin in June.

Places of interest
Gambia is a sliver in the side of Africa, one of its tiniest countries, but its attractions are just as bright as any in the region. The capital city, Banjul, is a uniquely African experience, with good-humoured locals and a streetside culture that chases away the holiday daze of glitzier cities. For an even more 'traditional' outlook, a quick trip upriver brings you into the Gambian heartland, where the colourful buzz of weekly markets vies for your attention with boat trips through mangrove creeks and bike jaunts to mud-hut villages.

Events
Gambia celebrates both Christian and Muslim holidays. Since the Islamic (or Hejira) calendar is based on the lunar cycle, it is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Therefore, Islamic holidays and festivals fall 11 days earlier each year. The beginning of the Muslim New Year (local name, Tamkharit) is currently celebrated in January. On that day, you'll see children walking from house to house, singing and asking for small gifts of money. Eid al-Moulid, which celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, is currently held in March. Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (presently around September), commemorating the month when the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed. Out of deference, Muslims neither eat or drink from sunset to sunrise, are devoted to prayer and avoid all 'worldly pleasures', including music and sex. At the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr or Korit é ), the fasting breaks amid much celebration. The International Roots Festival is a highly publicised annual celebration aimed at getting Americans and Europeans of African descent back in touch with Africa. Festivities include displays of Gambian music, dance, art and craftwork, excursions to historical sites including the Roots village of Jufureh, as well as seminars and educational workshops. The festival takes place in late June and/or early July. Other public holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day (18 February), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers' Day (1 May), Anniversary of the Second Republic (22 July) and Christmas Day.