The land is a finger like strip where the Gambia River flows for 200 miles (322 km) on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent, averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width. Gambia is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa, it has a population of about 1.5 million.

The population has an average life expectancy of 54 years and an infant mortality rate of 91 per 1000 births. 69% of the population live below the poverty line and 1.95% have AIDS, adult literacy is 37%.
The Gambia River is navigable for the whole length and is the main transport artery. Agriculture is important with groundnuts being the main cash crop.

The official language is English and a number of dialects are spoken. The majority religion is Muslim.

Gambia was a British colony until gaining independence in 1965, it is now a democratic republic.