The Gambia is a finger like strip of land from where the Gambia River flows for 200 miles (322 km) on its way to the Atlantic. Gambia is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa,  

Some statistics about the Gambia:

• It is the smallest country on the African continent averaging only 20 miles (32 km) in width
• It has an esitmated population of about 1.7 million.
• The population has an average life expectancy of 59 for women and 58 for men 
• The infant mortality rate of 97 per 1000 births
• There are 11 physicians per 100,000 (compared with over 50 per 100,000 in the UK)
• 69% of the population live below the poverty line
• 1.95% of the population have AIDS
• Adult literacy is 37% of the population

The Gambia River is navigable for the whole length and is the main transport artery. Agriculture is the most important industry, 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.