Gambia

Gambia is a country in Africa with its capital in Banjul and about 2.8 million people. The Gambia is mainland Africa’s smallest country, a narrow strip along the Gambia River surrounded on land by Senegal.

Gambia in purple, with Banjul marked. Outline from the same detailed coastlines the games use.

Capital: Banjul
Continent: Africa
Population (2025): 2.8 million
Land area: 10,120 km² (3,907 sq mi)

Find it among 54 Africa countries →Explore Gambia on the map

The story of Gambia

Where the name comes from

The Gambia is named after the Gambia River, through local forms such as Mandinka Kambaa; the river name’s meaning is uncertain.

First people

Mandinka, Wolof, Fula and other communities shared the region’s river trade, and the Senegambian stone circles are over 1,000 years old.^1,2

Known for

The Gambia is mainland Africa’s smallest country, a narrow strip along the Gambia River surrounded on land by Senegal.³

Outside contact

Britain founded Bathurst in 1816, made it a separate colony in 1888 and declared a protectorate inland in 1894; rivalry with France produced the river-shaped borders.¹