The Gambia :: essays research papers

The Gambia, translated from the French La Gambia was first colonized by Portugal in 1445 on what was later named St. Marys Island. Subsequently, the area was visited by France and later, Britain who began to build strong trading posts along its western shores. In the 1700s The Gambia was proclaimed to be part of Britain. By 1969 The Gambia became a res publica within the British commonwealth of nations. In 1982 it was declared a res publica in what was later declared the Senegambian conference. The Gambia stated its independence from Britain and the Province of Senegal. The Gambia hence established The Peoples Progressive Party led by, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara , until the shift of government in 1994. Today The Gambia lives under a multi-party system. The Constitution of the snatch Republic of The Gambia provides elections by making everyone over the age of 18 net profit suffrage. Every five years the people elect 45 candidates that rile up the countys national Assembly. Fou r parties made up the 1996 elections. The compact for Patriotic Re- Orientation and Construction (APRC), The United Democratic Party (UDP), The National Reconciliation Party (NRP), and The Peoples Democratic Organization for license and Socialism (PDOIS). On October 18, 1996 Yahya Jammeh (ADRC) won 56% of the votes to become the new chair of The Gambia. The flag consist of three horizontal stripes. From top to bottom they are red, blue, then green. Sorry I couldnt get a ruse print on the flag pictured below. TOPOGRAPHY The Gambia is a long sign up country focusing around the central river that gave them their name. The Gambia river is 300 miles long inwardly The Gambia and is about 3 miles wide at more or less takes. The Gambia has a bestow land area of 4,000 miles. It is relatively flat with few mountains and has an inward slanted bowl shape from where the Gambia river once covered. The Gambia river opens into the ocean at the western most tip of The Gambia. The capital, B anjul, is located near the inlet to the river and is a very biggish city with many tourist attractions and shops to buy stuff in. The Gambia is located all in all within the county of Senegal from which it won its independence. The river is navigable up to 241km inland. After that point is impossible to further follow the river without the aid of a specialized gravy holder for such a trip.