Republic of The Gambia

Political Status: Became independent member of the Commonwealth on February 18, 1965; republican regime instituted April 24, 1970; Gambian-Senegalese Confederation of Senegambia, formed with effect from February 1, 1982, dissolved as of September 30, 1989; most recent constitution approved by national referendum on August 8, 1996.

Area: 4,361 sq. mi. (11,295 sq. km.).

Population: 1,364,507 (2003C); 1,576,000 (2006E). The 2003 figure appears to reflect substantial underenumeration.

Major Urban Center (2005E): BANJUL (metropolitan area, 568,000).

Official Language: English.

Monetary Unit: Dalasi (market rate November 2, 2007: 19.50 dalasis = $1US).

President: Yahya JAMMEH (Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction); installed as chair of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council following military coup that overthrew the government of Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA Sanyang (People’s Progressive Party) on July 22, ...